David Rittenhouse
David Rittenhouse
David Rittenhousewas a renowned American astronomer, inventor, clockmaker, mathematician, surveyor, scientific instrument craftsman and public official. Rittenhouse was a member of the American Philosophical Society and the first director of the United States Mint...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionScientist
Date of Birth8 April 1732
CountryUnited States of America
beauty fitter greater planets taken
For the greater beauty of the instrument, the balls representing the planets are to be of considerable bigness; but so contrived, that they may be taken off at pleasure, and others, much smaller, and fitter for some purposes, put in their places.
balls given order particular planet points round situation turned until
In order to know the true situation of a Planet at any particular time, the small set of balls are to be put each on its respective axis; then the winch to be turned round until each index points to the given time.
circles except latitude planet pointed proper true
I will have no circles except the zodiac, on which I will have the true latitude and longitude of each planet pointed out by its proper index.
american-scientist applied believe course gave himself lectures money natural paying raised smith state towards true
But Dr. Smith says, and I believe it to be a true state of the case, that he himself gave a course of Lectures in Natural Philosophy, during the same winter, and that the money raised by them was also applied towards paying for the Orrery.