Images Dated 17th January 2005

Anglo-Saxon 10th century world map

Anglo-Saxon world map, dating from the 10th century. East is top. This map of the known world was probably produced by an Irish monk. Considering the state of European learning at the time, it is an impressive geographical achievement. However, in terms of accuracy it is outclassed by maps dating from the Classical era. Important landmarks, such as Jerusalem and Rome, are marked. The original is part of the Cotton Library, held in the British Library. Taken from A Book of Discovery (1912) by M.B. Synge

© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

V-2 bumper rocket launch in USA

V-2 bumper rocket launch, USA, White Sands, New Mexico. After the Second World War a number of German rocket scientists defected to the USA, continuing their work in the White Sands missile range in New Mexico. The experiments performed here led directly to the rockets later used for space exploration and for the delivery of nuclear payloads. In 1948 a smaller bumper rocket was put on the top of a V-2 and fired as a second-stage after the V-2 had run out of fuel. In the thin upper atmosphere, velocities of rockets are essentially additive, and the bumper rocket was able to reach a record height of over 400 kilometres and a velocity of 8300 kilometres per hour

© DETLEV VAN RAVENSWAAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Zenobe Gramme

Zenobe Gramme (1826-1901), Belgian electrical engineer in his workshop. Gramme was interested in improving the efficiency of electrical devices. In 1710 he demonstrated the Gramme machine, a continuous-current generator that produced large currents in relation to its size. At an exhibition in Vienna, Austria, a technician wired a series of such machines together incorrectly, so that the wires from one which was running were joined to one which was not. To the amazement of the onlookers, the second machine began to turn: the Gramme machine could act as both a generator and a motor. This allowed the possibility for work to be transferred large distances via electricity. Taken from Physique Populaire, 1891

© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY