scientific-observation
Michael Faraday's diary entry on 'crispations' and Coleridge's reflection on galvanism illustrate contemporary efforts to understand natural phenomena through emerging scientific frameworks.
2 chapters across 2 books
Pandaemonium: The Coming of the Machine as Seen by Contemporary Observers 1660-1886 (1985)Humphrey Jennings
This chapter presents a series of historical excerpts from the early 19th century reflecting on secrecy oaths, industrial cooperation, scientific observations, and social crises such as cholera outbreaks. It includes vivid accounts of fossil discoveries, labor reform activism, and the devastating arrival of cholera in Manchester, illustrating the intersection of emerging industrial society, scientific inquiry, and public health challenges. The texts collectively reveal tensions between technological progress, social order, and human vulnerability during the early machine age.
The Wanderer (1965)Fritz Leiber
In this chapter, the characters experience the surreal and overwhelming presence of the Wanderer, a mysterious new planet appearing unusually close to the moon, causing widespread public fascination and scientific speculation. Don Merriam attempts a risky maneuver aboard the Baba Yaga spacecraft near the moon but loses consciousness, while other characters observe and interpret the celestial phenomena with a mix of awe, humor, and scientific curiosity. The narrative blends human reactions, technical details, and social dynamics against the backdrop of this unprecedented astronomical event.