How a Weekly Meeting in 1660 Launched a Global Revolution
Imagine a world without science. Not without technology, but without the very method of science. A world where questions about the universe were answered solely by tradition, authority, or guesswork. This was the reality until a pivotal moment in 1660, when a small group of curious men in London founded a society and held their first official meeting—a "Session 1" that would forever change how humanity seeks truth.
This article delves into the birth of the Royal Society, the world's first and most enduring independent scientific academy. We'll explore the radical ideas that fueled it, zoom in on a breathtaking experiment that defined its ethos, and unpack the tools that made these first steps into the unknown possible.
The Royal Society's first meetings were held in Gresham College, London, and included notable figures like Christopher Wren, Robert Boyle, and John Wilkins.
In the mid-17th century, Europe was emerging from the shadow of dogma. The Renaissance had rekindled learning, but a new approach was needed: one based on experimental evidence rather than blind faith in ancient texts.
"Nullius in verba" - Take nobody's word for it
This was the catalyst for the Royal Society. Their founding motto, "Nullius in verba" (Latin for "Take nobody's word for it"), was a direct challenge to established authority. It was a declaration that they would verify all claims through experiment and observation. This simple yet profound shift is the bedrock of all modern science. Key concepts they championed include:
The theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience. You must see, measure, and test to know something is true.
The practice of presenting findings to a critical community of fellow experts for verification and challenge.
The belief that sharing knowledge and working together accelerates discovery, a radical notion in an age of secretive alchemy.
No experiment better encapsulates the spirit of the Royal Society's early days than those conducted with the vacuum pump by Robert Boyle. While not performed in the very first session, it was a cornerstone of the Society's early experimental philosophy and was demonstrated repeatedly to its members.
Boyle's air pump, a complex apparatus of glass spheres, brass pistons, and valves, was a feat of engineering designed to remove air from a sealed chamber. Here's how the crucial experiment unfolded:
A glass receiver (chamber) was placed on the pump's base. A valve was sealed shut, and a small animal, often a bird or mouse, was placed inside.
The experimenters would manually pump out the air from the chamber. This was strenuous work, taking considerable time and effort to create even a partial vacuum.
As the air was slowly removed, the members of the Society would gather around to meticulously observe and record the effects on the creature inside and on other items placed in the chamber.
The results were both dramatic and scientifically illuminating. As the air was pumped out, the animal would become distressed, struggle for breath, and eventually die. This provided direct, observable proof of two critical concepts:
| Object in Chamber | Observation with Air | Observation as Air was Removed | Scientific Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bird or Mouse | Alive and active | Became distressed, fainted, died | Air is necessary for animal life |
| Lit Candle | Flame burned brightly | Flame flickered and extinguished | Air is necessary for combustion |
| Bell | Could be heard ringing | Sound grew faint, then inaudible | Sound requires a medium (air) to travel |
Boyle's experiments with air pressure led to one of the first mathematical descriptions of a physical law. The table below shows the inverse relationship between pressure and volume:
| Volume of Air (arbitrary units) | Pressure exerted by Air (arbitrary units) | P x V (Constant) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 8 | 96 |
| 8 | 12 | 96 |
| 6 | 16 | 96 |
| 4 | 24 | 96 |
| 3 | 32 | 96 |
The Royal Society brought together diverse minds who shared a commitment to experimental philosophy. Here's a breakdown of its early membership around 1663:
| Category of Member | Number | Examples | Primary Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental Scientists | ~40 | Robert Boyle, Robert Hooke | Conducting experiments, formulating laws |
| Mathematicians & Astronomers | ~15 | Sir Christopher Wren, John Flamsteed | Theoretical work, calculations, observations |
| Physicians | ~20 | William Harvey (theory accepted) | Applying new knowledge to medicine |
| "Virtuosi" (Learned Gentlemen) | ~45 | Samuel Pepys | Providing funding, intellectual curiosity |
The early Royal Society didn't have modern labs, but they made do with ingenious tools and materials. Here's what was in their essential kit.
To remove air from a sealed chamber, creating a vacuum.
Allowed for the first controlled experiments on the properties of air and the vacuum itself.
To magnify small objects invisible to the naked eye.
Opened up the entire world of the microscopic, leading to the discovery of cells and microbes.
To observe distant celestial objects in greater detail.
Transformed astronomy, allowing for the study of moons, planets, and stars like never before.
To refract white light and split it into its constituent colors.
Enabled Isaac Newton's groundbreaking experiments on the nature of light and optics.
To measure air pressure and temperature quantitatively.
Introduced precise measurement into experimentation, moving science beyond qualitative observation.
The first session of the Royal Society was more than just a meeting; it was the ignition of a system. It established a template for testing ideas that has endured for over 350 years. From understanding the circulation of blood to unveiling the structure of DNA, every major scientific breakthrough owes a debt to the principles cemented in those early London gatherings.
Theirs was a simple but powerful agreement: don't trust, verify. Share your work. Question everything. It is a conversation that started in 1660 and continues in labs, journals, and conferences around the world to this day. Every published paper, every conference presentation, is a direct descendant of that very first, historic Session 1.
The Royal Society's approach formed the basis of the modern scientific method taught in schools worldwide.
The model of collaborative, evidence-based research has been adopted by scientific communities across the globe.