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An Unexpected History of Science - Rufus Hound, Matthew Cobb, Victoria Herridge and Keith Moore

The Infinite Monkey Cage

CHAPTER

The Cost of Knowledge: Willoughby's Book of Fish

This chapter examines the historical implications of Willoughby's Book of Fish, highlighting its impressive illustrations while revealing how its publication financially burdened the Royal Society, impeding the release of Newton's Principia Mathematica. The discussion also addresses the rarity of important scientific texts, the socio-economic factors influencing access to them, and invites listeners to view archival photographs related to these works.

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