The Complete History of Science

Latest Episodes:

Circulation! [William Harvey Part 3] Jan 18, 2025

Show notes

At the start of the 17th century Harvey finally put all of the pieces in place. He had discovered that blood circulates through the body with the heart acting as a pump. Realising that he was undermining a millenia of Galenism, he set out carefully, working to convince his peers of his discovery. He made many public demonstrations to support his findings, meeting both support and controversy.

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Be Still My Beating Heart [William Harvey Part 2] Jan 11, 2025

Show notes

In 1602, William Harvey joined the College of Physicians to secure his medical career, but behind the scenes, he was conducting bold anatomical research. Through dissections, vivisections, and innovative experiments on blood flow and the heart, Harvey began challenging Galen’s teachings. His relentless curiosity would soon lead to the groundbreaking discovery of blood circulation.

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Aristotle My General, Fabricius My Guide [William Harvey Part 1] Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

In late 1599, William Harvey, having completed his B.A. at Cambridge, sought further education abroad. His father, a successful businessman, funded his journey to Padua, a renowned center of medical learning.

At Padua, Harvey encountered the teachings of Aristotle, particularly the idea of understanding the "final cause" of things, which influenced his approach to medicine. He also studied under Hieronymous Fabricius, who combined Aristotelian philosophy with detailed dissections, shaping Harvey’s future medical practices.

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Fallopio and Fabricius Nov 11, 2024

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Realdo Colombo and the Pulmonary Transit of the Blood Oct 05, 2024

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Realdo Colombo, a former student and colleague of Vesalius, challenged aspects of Galenic anatomy and made significant strides in understanding blood circulation. Through vivisection, Colombo discovered that blood circulates through the lungs, a finding that corrected earlier theories and contributed to a major shift in Renaissance anatomical and physiological studies. His work, though not initially credited, played a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge and laid the groundwork for future discoveries in human physiology.

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The Book of the Body [Vesalius Part 2] Jul 19, 2024

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The World of Andreas Vesalius [Vesalius Part 1] Jul 08, 2024

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The background and early life of the great renaissance anatomist Andreas Vesalius.

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On the Revolutions [Copernicus Part 2] Mar 17, 2024

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This episode explores the pivotal encounter in Nicolaus Copernicus's later life when he met the young mathematician known as Rheticus. Rheticus, a prodigy from the University of Wittenberg, sought out Copernicus in Frombork, Poland, to learn more about his heliocentric theory. Despite their differences, Rheticus and Copernicus's collaboration that resulted in the publication of Copernicus's groundbreaking work, 'On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres.'

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A More Reasonable Arrangement [Copernicus Part 1] Mar 11, 2024

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In this episode we delve into the early life of Nicolaus Copernicus, the astronomer who challenged the geocentric model of the universe. From his upbringing in Torun, Poland, to his academic journey at Jagiellonian University and travels to Bologna and Rome, follow Copernicus's passion for astronomy amid societal expectations. Discover the pivotal moments that led to his groundbreaking heliocentric model, which revolutionized our understanding of the cosmos.

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