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“As historians of electricity from Joseph Priestley on have recognized, sustained experimentation in that subject began with Hauksbee; his demonstration that glass is a convenient and malleable material for producing frictional electricity opened the way for the work of Stephen Gray, Charles de Cisternay Dufay, and Benjamin Franklin. His discoveries had a marked influence on the later speculations of Isaac Newton; and a century later Laplace turned to Hauksbee's book when he embarked on his study of capillarity” (DSB). |
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HAUKSBEE, Francis the Elder. Physico-Mechanical Experiments on Various Subjects. Containing an Account of several Surprizing Phenomena touching Light and Electricity, Producible on the Attrition of Bodies. London: R. Brugis for the Author, 1709. Small quarto, mid-19th century half-morocco gilt. $7800. First edition, with 8 engraved plates (7 folding), of Hauksbee's highly influential discoveries concerning electricity. “Hauksbee’s important experiments on electroluminescence, static electricity, and capillarity, described in the present work, mark the beginning of sustained experimentation in the field of electricity” (Norman 1020). Occasional browning to text, some rubbing to binding. A rare and very early important work in electricity. |