Simon Stevin, one of the greatest scientists from the Low Countries, died in 1620. Who was this multi-talented scholar? What has his influence on science been? The Museum Plantin-Moretus sheds light on this versatile genius.
Simon Stevin was born in Bruges in 1548. He was the son of Anthonis Stevin and Cathelyne van der Poort. He hailed from a prominent family of mayors, aldermen, magistrates and merchants. Stevin was proud of his heritage. He often showed off his birthplace on the title pages of his books.
Stevin's professional start is a modest one. He first worked as an accountant in Antwerp and as an employee of the tax department in Bruges.
These were turbulent times in the Southern Netherlands. Religious strife was flaring up everywhere. In 1577, tensions between Catholics and Calvinists reached a boiling point. Stevin moved to the North.
From 1581, he lived in Leiden. He studied at the university there. He met the stadtholder and commander of the armed forces Maurice of Orange. The printer-publisher Christophe Plantin also crossed his path. From then on, both men played a major role in the life of Simon Stevin.
Simon Stevin and Maurice, The Prince of
Orange
In 1593, Stevin became the private teacher of Prince Maurice. He taught him geography, astronomy, geometry, the art of weighing, perspective, accounting and economics. These teachings were later compiled in the volume Wisconstige gedachtenissen (1608).
In 1603, Prince Maurice appointed Stevin as quartermaster of the army of the Seven United Provinces. Stevin built army camps and took care of provisioning.
War is an expensive business. Stevin convinces Prince Maurice to introduce double-entry bookkeeping for the army. The mismanagement of local stewards becomes a much smaller issue.
Portrait of Christophe Plantin by Peter Paul Rubens by Peter Paul RubensMuseum Plantin-Moretus
Simon Stevin and Christophe Plantin
The Frenchman Christophe Plantin arrived in Antwerp in 1555. He started a publishing and printing company that would become one of the most prominent in Europe. The legacy left by Plantin and his successors can still be admired in the Museum Plantin-Moretus.
Plantin also had a printing company in Leiden. There he printed works for the university. Of the fifteen works Stevin published, eight were printed by Plantin.
Interest tableMuseum Plantin-Moretus
Influential works by Simon Stevin
Tafelen van Interest (Tables of Interest), 1582
Simon Stevin was the first to publish comprehensive interest tables. Interest tables are tables that facilitate the calculation of interest. Traders anxiously kept them a guarded trade secret from their competitors.
Browse the book online
Trade in the Netherlands was flourishing in the sixteenth century. Cities - including Antwerp - were meeting grounds for international traders.
Each region in Europe had its own sizes, weights and coins, which made interregional trade exceedingly difficult.
De Thiende (Decimals), 1585
Trade in the Netherlands was flourishing in the sixteenth century. Cities were meeting grounds for international traders. But each region in Europe had its own coins, weights, measures and volumes. In De Thiende, Stevin introduced the ten-part system. This made it possible to convert the large variety of coins and sizes. De Thiende was translated into French, Danish and English.
Browse the book online
Did you know De Thiende by Stevin forms the basis for the American dollar?
In 1792, the United States of America adopted the dollar as its national currency. Its later president Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) advocates a decimal system basis for the new currency. In his argument, he appeals to Stevin's De thiende. That is why one dollar consists of 100 cents. It makes the dollar the first modern currency.
Wisconstige Gedachtenissen (Mathematics), 1586
Wisconstige Gedachtenissen (1586) is one of Stevin's most influential works. It is composed of portions of Beginselen der weegconst (The principles of weighing), De weeghdaet (Dynamics) and De Beghinselen des Waterwichts (The principles of hydrodynamics).
Browse the book online
Beghinselen der Weeghconst (Principles of Weighing), 1586
In this book, Stevin discusses the theory of equilibrium (statics). Using specific problems, Stevin leads the reader to insights into various mechanical principles, and provides methods for solving them. These problems are illustrated with beautiful illustrations.
In Beghinselen der Weeghconst Stevin also presents the ‘clootkransbewijs’ (proof of the law of equilibrium on an inclined plane, also known as the 'Epitaph of Stevinus'). A thought experiment demonstrates how forces work on an inclined plane. A string of identical beads hangs around a triangle at equal distances. Stevin first assumes that the shear force on one side will be greater than on the other side. This generates a ‘eeuwich roersel’ (a continuous movement). The latter, a perpetual motion machine, is thus impossible according to Stevin. There must be balance!. Stevin is so pleased with this proof that he uses the image of the clootcrans as an emblem on the title page of his book.
De Weeghdaet (Dynamics), 1586
In de Weeghdaet, Stevin also does limited research into the theory of dynamics. Together with Johan Cornets de Groot (1554-1640), he performed the classic drop test in which they dropped two lead balls from a church tower. Although one is 10 times heavier than the other, they fall to the ground in identical times.
Beghinselen des Waterwichts (Principles of hydrodynamics), 1586
In this book, Stevin discusses hydrostatic properties, the theory of liquids in a balanced state. Stevin was the first to build on Archimedes' law. This law says that the buoyancy acting on an immersed object is equal to the weight of the displaced fluid mass. Stevin is the first since Archimedes to introduce additional insights into hydrostatics.
Havenvinding (Naval navigation), 1586
The United East India Company (Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, or VOC) was founded in 1602. The Northern Netherlands developed into a formidable naval power. A safe, fast method of travel became a priority. Stevin advocates loxodromic navigation. A ship does not navigate the shortest route, but rather a route with a constant angle to the meridians of longitude, thus eliminating the need for continual adjustment.
Want to know more? Browse all works of the mathematician Simon Stevin from the Museum Plantin-Moretus
Stevin as an inventor and engineer
De Sterctenbouwing (Reinforced Constructions) , 1594
During the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648) the need to reinforce cities grew. At the request of Prince Maurice, Stevin improved all kinds of fortifications.
Moers in Germany was built according to Stevin's theories.
Together with Johan Cornets de Groot, he constructed a water mill for the Dutch city of Ijsselstein. It was delivered late and did not meet expectations, which led to a court case. Stevin proves that his designs were performing well elsewhere and wins the case.
Wind Chariots
In 1601, Stevin designed the wind chariot (Zeilwagen). Prince Maurice sailed with 27 guests over the beach from Scheveningen to Petten. They set an unprecedented record: 80 km in two hours.
Principles of the WeeghconstMuseum Plantin-Moretus
Simon Stevin and his legacy
Simon Stevin died at the beginning of 1620. His impact on the Dutch language is still experienced on a daily basis. He introduced many new terms into Dutch, including evenwijdig (parallel), wijsbegeerte (philosophy), wiskunde (mathematics), afkomst (origin) and evenaar (equivalent). Stevin believed that the Dutchification of science was crucial. He wanted to reach as many people as possible.
Once again proof that he was a true Homo universalis.
