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Origin, Evolution and Clinical Application of the Thermometer
William F Wright1, Philip A Mackowiak2
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Memorial Medical Center,York, Pennsylvania.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|May 4, 2016
Summary
The thermometer
Area of Science:
- Medical instrumentation
- History of science
- Thermometry
Background:
- The invention of the thermometer is often attributed to Galileo, Fahrenheit, and Celsius.
- However, its development involved numerous contributors over time.
Observation:
- The evolution of the thermometer began long before its commonly credited inventors.
- Many researchers contributed to its development and clinical use.
Findings:
- The modern clinical thermometer is a product of cumulative scientific effort.
- Its origins trace back to early scientific investigations predating recognized inventors.
Implications:
- Understanding the thermometer's history reveals a collaborative scientific process.
- Recognizing all contributors provides a more accurate scientific narrative.
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