In Zur Farbenlehre (On the Theory of Colours) Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
disputes Newton's theory that white light is a combination of coloured light, reverting to an
Aristotelian psychological interpretation.
1813
l
Idea of using negatives in photography to allow production of multiple prints is
promulgated by English inventor Frederick Scott Archer.
1814
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Magnetic effects of violet light rays are demonstrated by Morichini.
l
Swedish scientist Baron Jöns Jakob Berzelius (1779-1848) publishes Theory
of Chemical Proportions and the Chemical Action of Electricity.
l
Steam-driven cylinder press is used to print The
Times in London.
1816
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First experiments in photography are conducted by Frenchman Joseph Nicéphore
Nièpce (1765-1833).
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Sir David Brewster (1781-1868) invents the kaleidoscope.
l
Blackwood’s Magazine is founded in Edinburgh, Scotland.
l
First cheap British periodical, William Cobbett’s Political Register,
is founded. It sells for 2d (just under 1p).
1817
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J J Berzelius discovers selenium and lithium. The photoconductive properties of
selenium, conductivity to electrical current varying with the amount of light, is employed in the
photoelectric cell.
l
Augustin Fresnel and Thomas Young discover that light is transmitted by
transverse vibrations.
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The Scotsman newspaper is founded in Edinburgh.
1819
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Flat-bed cylinder printing press is introduced by David Napier.
l
Freedom of the press is introduced in France.
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Principle of electromagnetism, the magnetic field associated with an electric
current, is discovered by Danish physicist Hans Christian Oersted (1777-1851).
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