The Complete History of Science

Gethin Richards
  • 5.0 (29)
  • SCIENCE

A podcast exploring the history of science from the beginning.  We will cover all of the most important scientific discoveries from Archimedes to Newton to Einstein.  The aim is to give a complete overview of how science evolved and how it shaped the modern world. Support the show and keep it going:  https://buymeacoffee.com/completehistoryofscience Follow me on BlueSky for updates:  https://bsky.app/profile/gethinrichards.bsky.social YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thecompletehistoryofscience Music credit:Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Photo credit: "L0015096EB" by Wellcome Library, London is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Image has been cropped.

  1. AUG 13 · BONUS

    Update on the show

    Quick update on the show.   Support the show Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/completehistoryofscience Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/gethinrichards.bsky.social Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

    4 min

  2. JUN 20

    Tycho's World System [Tycho Brahe Part 3]

    Tycho Brahe’s observations of the Great Comet of 1577 and his discovery of atmospheric refraction led him to reject solid celestial spheres and reassess the structure of the cosmos. Seeking an alternative to both the Ptolemaic and Copernican systems, he developed a geo-heliocentric model in which the Sun orbited the Earth while the planets orbited the Sun, a theory he supported with years of precise measurements, including a (mistaken) parallax for Mars. Though he failed to find definitive proof, Tycho’s tireless pursuit of accuracy and his revolutionary instruments laid the groundwork for the astronomical breakthroughs that would follow. Support the show Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/completehistoryofscience Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/gethinrichards.bsky.social Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

    29 min

  3. JUN 15

    Hven is a Place on Earth [Tycho Brahe Part 2]

    In 1576, Tycho Brahe was offered something no astronomer had ever received before: an island of his own. On the remote Baltic isle of Hven, Tycho set out to build the most advanced observatory in Europe.  But just as construction began, a brilliant comet appeared in the night sky. For Tycho, it was more than a celestial spectacle: it was a chance to test Aristotle, challenge old ideas, and prove that careful observation could overturn centuries of dogma. This episode traces Tycho’s transformation from wandering scholar to scientific institution, as he turns a lonely island into the centre of the astronomical world.  Support the show Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/completehistoryofscience Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/gethinrichards.bsky.social Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

    21 min

  4. JUN 14

    A New Star [Tycho Brahe Part 1]

    13/06/25 - Episode was removed due to audio errors and reuploaded.  Sorry! In 1572, a mysterious new star appeared in the sky, defying the ancient belief that the heavens never changed. Tycho Brahe, a Danish nobleman with a passion for astronomy, set out to uncover the truth. His meticulous observations challenged established ideas and sparked debates among scholars. But Tycho’s journey wasn’t just about science, it was a struggle against family expectations, social norms, and the limits of the tools at his disposal. This episode is the first of three parts exploring how one man’s curiosity reshaped our understanding of the universe and set the stage for a new era of discovery. Support the show Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/completehistoryofscience Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/gethinrichards.bsky.social Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

    35 min

  5. MAY 25

    The Lodestone, the Compass and the Magnetic Earth

    In this episode we trace the early development of magnetism and the compass—from ancient Chinese navigation to the groundbreaking insights of medieval and Renaissance Europe. The episode highlights the work of Peter Peregrinus, a 13th-century scholar whose detailed experiments with magnets laid the foundation for future magnetic science, and Robert Norman, who devised a method to reveal the mysterious “dip” of the magnetic needle. It also explores early efforts to understand magnetic declination, map its behavior, and investigate the nature of Earth’s magnetic forces. From the legends surrounding the compass’s invention to the precision of William Gilbert’s De Magnete, this episode examines how magnetism evolved from a mystical force into a measurable, mappable phenomenon—marking a crucial step on the path to modern science.  Support the show Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/completehistoryofscience Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/gethinrichards.bsky.social Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

    32 min

  6. JAN 18

    Circulation! [William Harvey Part 3]

    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.   Support the show Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/completehistoryofscience Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/gethinrichards.bsky.social Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

    24 min

  7. JAN 11

    Be Still My Beating Heart [William Harvey Part 2]

    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.  Support the show Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/completehistoryofscience Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/gethinrichards.bsky.social Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

    21 min

  8. 12/27/2024

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

    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.  Support the show Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/completehistoryofscience Contact: thecompletehistoryofscience@gmail.com BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/gethinrichards.bsky.social Music Credit: Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

    19 min
See All (39)

5
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

A podcast exploring the history of science from the beginning.  We will cover all of the most important scientific discoveries from Archimedes to Newton to Einstein.  The aim is to give a complete overview of how science evolved and how it shaped the modern world. Support the show and keep it going:  https://buymeacoffee.com/completehistoryofscience Follow me on BlueSky for updates:  https://bsky.app/profile/gethinrichards.bsky.social YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thecompletehistoryofscience Music credit:Folk Round Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Photo credit: "L0015096EB" by Wellcome Library, London is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Image has been cropped.

Information

  • Creator
    Gethin Richards
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Complete History of Science
  • Show Website
    The Complete History of Science

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