The Introduction of Self-Registering Meteorological Instruments

A scientific publication written during the mid-20th century. The book discusses the historical development of meteorological instruments that automatically record data, a progression that had significant implications for the field of meteorology. It outlines how the establishment of well-organized observatories in the 1860s contributed to the practical use of these self-registering instruments. In his work, Multhauf traces the development from early manual recording of weather phenomena to the integration of self-registering systems, highlighting key contributors like Galileo and Robert Hooke who laid the foundational concepts of instrumentation. The narrative details various inventions and innovations over centuries, discussing how instruments like the barometer and thermometer evolved into more sophisticated self-registering devices. Additionally, Multhauf explains the impact of technological advancements, such as photography and electromagnetism, on the reliability and accuracy of meteorological measurements, culminating in the modern instruments used in today's weather observation.