Robert Hooke was born in July 1635 in Freshwater, Isle of Wight. He made a name for himself at the age of 25 as the physicist who discovered the law of elasticity in 1660 (which came to be known as Hooke’s Law).

Robert Hooke discovered:

Hooke’s Law
Micrographia
Cells
Universal Joint
Balance Wheel
Iris Diaphragm

Micrographia

Although his law is arguably Hooke’s most famous contribution, he is responsible for many other publications and discoveries. For example, in 1665, he published Micrographia (“Small Drawings”) – now considered to be his most well-known pieces. Micrographia is a compilation of Hooke’s research, findings and drawings surrounding the observation and study of microscopic items through the lens of a microscope. Also included is information surrounding the work he put in to completing these drawings – for example, he writes that the ant was ‘troublesom to be drawn’ (page 203), so gave the ant brandy which ‘knock’d him down dead drunk, so that he became moveless’ (page 204). Hooke first became interested in drawing at a very young age and as a child made materials out of iron ore, chalk and coal.

Cells

How Did Robert Hooke Discover Cells?

Robert Hooke is credited with the first use of the term ‘cell’ to mean an organism unit.

While examining cork through his microscope, Hooke noticed the presence of numerous cavities. He called these “cells” because they made him think of cells in a monastery. This, along with his microscopic fossils research, led to him becoming an initial advocate of Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Universal Joint

Among his other notable findings, Hooke is considered the inventor of balance springs used in watches and the universal joint (also called Hooke’s joint). Despite the existence of mechanisms resembling universal joints before Hooke’s lifetime, he was the one to discover that consistent rotation of the input resulted in the inconsistent rotation of the output (it was previously incorrectly described by German scientist Gaspar Schott as a constant-velocity joint). Realising that the varying rate correlated with a shadow passing across a sundial, he proposed a mechanical sundial which later proved to be successful. His use of the phrase ‘universal joint’ in his 1676 book Helioscopes is the first recorded usage of the phrase.

Balance Wheel

This is slightly contentious. Robert Hooke noted that the force exerted by a spring is proportional to its extension. He also saw that when a spring moved from equilibrium and released, it oscillated at a regular frequency. Noticing this gave him the idea to use this concept in the regulation of a timekeeping device.

Hooke researched this in the early 1660s, presenting a public lecture in 1664 on springs regulating watches. However, in 1675 Dutch physicist Christiaan Huygens published a piece in Journal des sçavans – this presented the idea of a regulator which used a concentric spring to operate. This infuriated Hooke. He insisted he presented the same idea to the Royal Society in 1670 and accused Huygens of plagiarism.

Iris Diaphragm

Hooke created a model of the eye to show the Royal Society – including an iris diaphragm. The Royal Society records from 27^th July 1681 read ‘Mr Hooke shewed his new-contrived aperture for long telescopes, which would open and close just like the pupil of a man’s eye’. It was a screen with an opening and retractable sections. These reduced or enlarged the opening – mimicking an iris contracting or dilating; today’s microscope apertures still use this design.

Despite his impressive inventory of inventions, Hooke was known to have numerous disagreements with renowned physicist Isaac Newton. The recognition each received for scientific developments and discoveries were challenged by the other – for example, gravity and optics. Following Hooke’s death, Newton queried Hooke’s notability and – as President of the Royal Society – allegedly either intentionally ruined, or at the very least failed to protect, the single portrait of Hooke in existence!

For more interesting facts about Robert Hooke and his work in physics, visit our blog posts – 10 Facts you probably didn’t know about Robert Hooke and Hooke’s Law Explained. To discover more about compression springs, tension springs and torsion springs and our work manufacturing them in all shapes and sizes for a wide range of applications, visit our other webpages or get in touch through our Contact Page.