Scientific and Technological Events from 1000 C.E. to 1499 C.E.

ca 1000

Alhazen in Egypt uses observations to investigate Optics, explains reflection, considers curved mirrors, describes refraction, and estimates height of atmosphere.

Pope Silvester II (Gerbert) knew of Hindu-Arabic numerals but his work was not understood and ignored.  [1].

Europeans, from Iceland, discover Greenland and settle.

1066

William successfully invades Britain.

1126

Christian diocese founded in Greenland.

ca 1130

Arabic books being translated into Latin by Adelard of Bath (in England) and Robert of Chester (in Spain).

ca 1150

Angkor Wat is completed.

ca 1200

Universities were being formed at Oxford (before 1200), Padova (1222), Naples (1224), Cambridge (1226). The Sorbonne replaced Paris in 1253.

Grosseteste describes effect of lenses in his work on optics.

1202

Leonardo Pisano (Fibonacci) introduces Arabic numerals to Europe in his Liber Abaci, re-awakening interest in mathematics and scientific knowledge in Europe

1206

Genghis Khan becomes supreme ruler in Mongolia

1215

King John signs Magna Carta.

ca 1250

Roger Bacon studies optics, measures characteristics of rainbows.

1271

Marco Polo sets off to China with his father and uncle.

1324

William of Occam completes his Summae Logicae stating the general rules of combining logical statements. Also known for his Razor.

ca 1430

Ulugh-Beg of Samarkand makes very accurate astronomical observations, creates trigonometric tables to 8 places accuracy, solves cubic equations numerically.

ca 1450

Gutenberg invents movable type printing press.

ca 1480

Leonardo da Vinci draws details of the anatomy of the human body, investigates geological phenomena, including explanation of how shells got into rocks, studies optics, invents many mechanical devices, etc.

1492

Christopher Columbus sets out.