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English engineer John Smeaton's experimental method(s): Optimisation, hypothesis testing and exploratory

Andrew M A Morris1

  • 1Centre for Logic and Philosophy of Science, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Room 5B425, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium.

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science
|September 21, 2021
PubMed
Summary
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Eighteenth-century engineer John Smeaton

Area of Science:

  • History of Science and Technology
  • Engineering History
  • Philosophy of Science

Background:

  • John Smeaton's engineering methods are often viewed as systematizing artisanal approaches.
  • Recent scholarship in history and philosophy of science calls for a re-evaluation of historical scientific practices.
  • Understanding Smeaton's methodological contributions is key to grasping the science-technology relationship during the Industrial Revolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a detailed account of John Smeaton's experimental methods.
  • To re-evaluate Smeaton's approach in light of contemporary history and philosophy of science research.
  • To demonstrate how Smeaton's work integrated hypothesis testing and exploratory experimentation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Smeaton's experimental techniques, focusing on parameter variation.
Keywords:
Exploratory experimentationHypothesis testingJohn SmeatonOptimisationParameter variationScience-technology relation

Related Experiment Videos

  • Identification of three methodological aims: optimisation, hypothesis testing, and maxim generation.
  • Comparative analysis of Smeaton's publications (e.g., Philosophical Transactions vs. Eddystone lighthouse account).

    • Main Results:

    • Smeaton's methods integrated hypothesis testing with exploratory experimentation, bridging science and technology.
    • His approach went beyond merely systematizing artisanal practices.
    • Exploratory experimentation is shown to be compatible with hypothesis testing in Smeaton's work.

    Conclusions:

    • John Smeaton's methodology represents a significant integration of scientific and technological practices.
    • His work offers insights into the evolving relationship between science and technology at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution.
    • This re-evaluation encourages further research into early industrial scientific methods.