Torricelli, steam power, and the technological drift of the Scientific Revolution

Vol. 29 No. 2 (2009)

Apr-Jun / 2009
Published April 1, 2009
PDF-Portuguese (Português (Brasil))
PDF-Portuguese (Português (Brasil))

How to Cite

Suprinyak, Carlos Eduardo. 2009. “Torricelli, Steam Power, and the Technological Drift of the Scientific Revolution”. Brazilian Journal of Political Economy 29 (2):302-18. https://centrodeeconomiapolitica.org.br/repojs/index.php/journal/article/view/482.

Torricelli, steam power, and the technological drift of the Scientific Revolution

Carlos Eduardo Suprinyak
Doutorando em economia pelo Centro de Desenvolvimento e Planejamento Regional da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais – CEDEPLAR/UFMG
Brazilian Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 29 No. 2 (2009), Apr-Jun / 2009, Pages 302-318

Abstract

Starting from Evangelista Torricelli’s pneumatic discoveries, we try to show that the crucial discoveries in pure science associated with the Scientific Revolution, although they may not have found immediate practical applications, have markedly impelled technological progress in the medium term – contrary to the diffused notion which states that the links between science and technology during the modern period have been tenuous, at best. Torricelli’s ideas have turned into one of the privileged research areas for then newborn experimental program, actively participating in a process of reformulation in scientific research’s epistemological base, which have culminated in steam power productive application.

JEL Classification: N73; O31.


Keywords: Torricelli steam power Scientific Revolution technology