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Pendulum: Leon Foucault and the Triumph of Science

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Amir Aczel's "Pendulum: Leon Foucault and the Triumph of Science" artfully combines history, biography, and science in a way that captures the human drama behind Foucault's demonstration--as irrefutable as it was ingenious--of the earth's rotation in the 1850s. Before reading "Pendulum" I had thought that after the work of Galileo, Kepler, Copernicus, Newton, it was commonly accepted by all that the earth rotated on its axis. Apparently I was wrong: all accepted this proposition save the Catholic Church, who held fast to the believe that the earth stood fixed and motionless, while all the heavens revolved around it. Curiously, while the Church persecuted (indeed, killed) anyone who maintained that the earth rotated, even as early as 1615, Cardinal Bellarmine articulated the position that if an irrefutable proof could be given of the earth's rotation, the Church would change its view.

Aczel recounts how Foucault, an outsider to the world of the French academy, without the benefit of rigorous university training in mathematics and science, devised his demonstration, proved a surprising relationship between the behavior of the pendulum and the lattitude of the location of the pendulum, and finally overcame systematic discrimination by the reigning authorities of the French academy and was finally recognized for his achievements.

Foucault enjoyed the support of the emperor Louis Napoleon, who himself had dabbled with science during his time in prison, years before. Louis Napoleon arranged for a public viewing of Foucault's elegant pendulum demonstration in the Pantheon in Paris, which provided a great forum for the Parisian public to see science in action and history in the making.

Aczel is a master of relating episodes in the history of science and mathematics to a general audience. As in his earlier books, Aczel deftly sketches relevant biographical detail of the major dramatis personae and the historical context of the story. His explanations of the underlying scientific and mathematical principles are notably clear and jargon-free. "Pendulum" weaves Church history, French political and social history, biography, and science into a cohesive narrative that highlights, above all else, the human drama of scientific discovery. This is the history of science at its best.

"You are invited to come to see the Earth turn, tomorrow, from three to five, at Meridian Hall ..." This curious invitation was sent on cards to all the known scientists in Paris on 2 February 1851. The physicist who issued them was convinced that at last he was going to be established as a scientist of repute; he had other discoveries and inventions to his name, but had garnered little official acknowledgement. In _Pendulum: Léon Foucault and the Triumph of Science_ (Atria Books), Amir Aczel, one of our best explicators of science themes, gives a remarkable account of just how it was physically demonstrated that we are not the center of everything. The book takes in a good deal of history of the ideas of astronomical movements, and nicely places Foucault's invention within his society and time.

Aczel rightly gives a history of the idea that the Earth turned, an idea that was at one time dangerous to hold because of religious implications. But the only thing the heliocentric model really had going for it was that the mathematical calculations for understanding and predicting celestial motion were simpler. That made it a good model, but still, you could sit on a hill and night and watch as the heavens moved, and feel no spin of the Earth. Foucault enabled us to see and feel a bit more accurately. He was a brilliant engineer, and an even better tinkerer with gadgets at his disposal. He had worked with electric lighting, microscopy, and photography, and turned his attention to the movement of the Earth. Mathematicians and physicists had said that such motion could never be observed, but Foucault worked in his cellar for months, perfecting his experiment, which seems so very simple in retrospect. He designed a series of larger pendulums. A pendulum swings in its own plane; on a moving Earth, the pendulum seems to shift around, depending on where the pendulum is located. People loved the huge pendulums and the clear demonstration.

Foucault was thereafter a celebrity, a status that he enjoyed. But it did not help him with the members of the Academy of Sciences. They were angry. He was not a trained scientist. He was not a trained mathematician. He had scooped them all with a simple experiment that had a universal appeal. It was not until three years before his death in 1865 that he was elected a member of the Academy, although he had gained many honors by that time. One of his further inventions was the gyroscope, which he invented specifically to see in another way the turning of the Earth (his word for it, "gyroscope", means literally "turn see"). Once again, he demonstrated the truth that the calculations had shown, but in a physical way. Aczel's book clearly shows how Foucault's ideas fit into the progression of our better understanding (and acceptance) of celestial movements. There are clear explanations here as well of how Coriolis force, a force Foucault knew nothing about, acts on pendulums, cannonballs, and storms, as well as how Foucault and his idea fit into the religious and political times. This is a readable tribute to a remarkable thinker. Come see the Earth turn.

I am not a professional scientist. Though I would say the author presents a clear idea of the Pendulum, the depth of understanding, unfortunely, in my humble opinion, is not enough. Also, the author seems to be dragged by the history/blunder of Louise-Napoleon too much that he devoted a great length of the book about him. A whole chapter is about a military defeat in Sedan against Prussia after Foucault's death. I have no idea how it is related Foucault & the Pendulum. However, in a much shorter chapter in the middle of the book, the author only touches the topic of gyroscope, another great achievement by Foucault, lightly. Also, it would have been much better if the second proof of Foucault's sine law has a better illustration since the radius r of the pendulum is a really important part of the proof, it is weird that the diagram/illustration of the proof just misses it.

Is there a simple way to show that it is the Earth which rotates and not the sky ? A child can ask this question, but Galileo and Newton did not know the answer. Aczel's book tells the compelling story of how in 1851 a frenchman called Foucalt found the simple solution which shocked the world. Besides the science, Aczel's book is full of insight into life in Paris at the times of Napoleon III. The easy style makes it impossible to put down the book before it is finished. Definitevely the best book of Aczel so far.

I really liked the book. It covered a lot of interesting historical material as well as the main topic. Two items stand out in my mind, but there are many others: 1. the Foucault pendulum discovery severed the ties between science and church. It overturned the Aristolean view the church held that the earth did not move. This is a very important historic event. 2. The event that happened on Dec. 2, 1851. Louis-Napoleon, the elected president of France, overthrew the government and declared himself ruler as Napoleon III. It may seem a stretch, but this may have parallels in our political future of this country. Napoleon III had a strong desire to make France over in the manner he desired. Can we think of someone in our country (U.S.) who might want a make over? Hmmm. Although my background is in mathematics, I liked the historic interplay between the physcists and mathematicians who were essentially insulted and embarrassed by the Foucault discovery.

Another reviewer above was not happy with the book and remarked that the science was wrong. It would have been good if he gave some references or other details why he felt that way. If one is bent on a scientific treatise about this, perhaps a book like Waves, Vol. 3, of the Berkeley series on physics would fill the needs the reviewer and others. It might be a worthwhile to pass his claims by a newsgroup such as sci.physics.

The book is well written in its telling of the trials and tribulations of this often historically over-looked, self-taught physicist. However, the work lacks in conveying what I considered to be significant detail that left me wanting. Specifically, the work refers often to the rotating anchorages of Foucault's pendulums, yet not one detailed description or illustration is offered of this key component; this, the very innovative aspect that set Foucault's pendulums apart from all that preceeded it! Another mention of a electromagnetic device developed by Foucault to maintain his pendulums in motion; again, no details!!! To sum it up; the book lacks in technical detail.

Amir Aczel has outdone himself, yet again, with another book that simply cannot be put down. Not only does he describe the life of a perhaps little-known-to-some but most important scientist, but he also goes off on tangents to give the reader a true flavor of the times in which Foucault was living, as well as including mini biographies of people who influenced Foucault's life in various ways. I believe that these tangents are a credit to the book and contribute to its uncommonly exciting nature. Aczel's writing style is as clear as a bell - especially on the scientific explanations that are given. A true credit to popular science writing!

That a biography of L?on Foucault would be named after his legendary pendulum experiment is only appropriate. Proving the rotation of the earth and confirming the Copernican view of the solar system had vexed many of history's greatest minds for centuries. The author does an excellent job of explaining the evolution of the heliocentric view and of describing the efforts of many notable scientists to prove a theory that sharply contrasted with the church doctrine of the time.

However, this was only one of many contributions Foucault would make to science. In addition to advances in photography, lighting, and telescope optics, Foucault invented the gyroscope, a device used in modern times to allow spacecraft to keep their bearings. Remarkably, Foucault accomplished so much despite a complete lack of formal scientific training. Sadly, one of the book's constant themes is how difficult it was for Foucault to receive proper recognition from his colleagues simply because they did not consider him to be a proper man of science.

I have read several of Amir Aczel's books, and Pendulum is by far my favorite. L?on Foucault is an appealing subject, and Aczel has a knack for explaining scientific concepts in a clear and concise manner. Despite having relatively little knowledge of physics I always found the book to be easy to follow.

Written in an easy to read prose, this book makes a strong case for the importance of Foucault's work to our modern world, both in terms of scientific theory and in terms of applied technology. The author does a good job of explaining the historical context for Foucault's pendulum experiment, showing why it was so revolutionary. But this is more than just the story of a man who provided the definitive proof that the earth revolves on its axis. Foucault was largely self taught, and his story is equally about his struggles to find acceptance within the scientific establishment of his time, in spite of his clear contributions to the body of scientific knowledge. Thus this book also serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of prejudice in any form.

This is an excellent treatment on the life and science of Leon Focault, the self-taught man who changed the mind of the Catholic Church rather than be persecuted like so many other scientist were for exposing scientific evidence that ran afoul of the repressive dogma of church doctrine and in that alone, it was a monumental achievement.

Using his pendulum, Foucault conclusively proved that the earth rotated on it's axis and around the sun- NOT the Catholic Church. In October of 1992, Pope John Paul II made a public apology to Galileo and in this, [the apology] "...owes everything to the work of Leon Focault almost a century and a half earlier."- p 239.

Of course, the apology should have been given directly to Galileo, but hey, better late than never and another feather in the cap of the recently passed John Paul II.

Aczel writes with a flowing narrative- "like a novelist", as one reviewer states, and invites people from all backgrounds to understand the life and accomplishments of Focault and to give due recognition and honor to such a dedicated scientist. Well researched with easy to understand science, including illustrations, photos and drawings, one will come to know the man and his genius.

Chief amongst Foucault's many discoveries were the modern electric compass, an electric microscope, photographic technology, insights into color theory, heat waves, and the speed of light. And there was so much more!

Before the Preface is a quote from Focault that wisely sums up the import of his pendulum and it's proof of the earth's rotation:

"The phenomenon develops calmly, but it is invisible, unstoppable. One feels, one sees it born and grow steadily; and it is not in one's power to either hasten or slow it down. Any person, brought into the presence of this fact, stops for a few moments and remains pensive and silent; and then generally leaves, carrying with him forever a sharper, keener sense of our incessant motion through space."- Leon Foucault, 1851.