On this day in 1687, Sir Isaac Newton published probably the most important scientific book in history: Philosiphiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica.
The Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, which is Latin for “mathematical principles of natural philosophy”, often Principia or Principia Mathematica for short, is a three-volume work by Isaac Newton published on 5 July 1687.[1][2] It contains the statement of Newton’s laws of motion forming the foundation of classical mechanics, as well as his law of universal gravitation and a derivation of Kepler’s laws for the motion of the planets (which were first obtained empirically). The Principia is “justly regarded as one of the most important works in the history of science”.[3]
In formulating his physical theories, Newton had developed a field of mathematics now known as calculus. However, the language of calculus as we know it was largely absent from the Principia. Instead, Newton cast the majority of his proofs in geometric form, although with many calculus-like arguments based on limits of vanishing small geometric quantities.
In just one book, Newton laid the foundation for modern physics (mechanical) and invented the field of calculus. Newton was a true genius and one of the most influential people who has ever lived.
For more details on Newton’s laws of motion click here.
For more details on the invention of calculus, click here.