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Daniel Schwenter




Daniel Schwenter ('''Schwender''') ( 1585 - 1636 ) was a German Orientalist , mathematician, inventor, poet, and librarian. He was professor of oriental languages and mathematics at the University Of Altdorf . His works include ''Delicia Physic-Mathematicae'' ( Nuremberg , 1636 ) and ''Geometriae practicae novae et auctae tractatus I-IV'' (published posthumously in 1641 ). As a linguist, Schwenter was familiar with Greek , Hebrew , Arabic , Syriac , and Aramaic . He was also an authority on Euclid .


SCHWENTER AND THE SCIOPTRIC BALL


He is credited with developing the Scioptric Ball in 1636 . This is a universal joint that allows a microscope, mounted on the ball, to be swiveled into any position. Its invention was inspired by Schwenter's studies of the human Eye . The scioptric ball provided a firm anchor for a Microscope or Telescope while allowing the telescope to be swiveled in all directions in order to follow the course of an Eclipse or for drawing Panoramic Views . It was in some ways the first Wide-angle Lens .


SCHWENTER AND THE FOUNTAIN PEN

Schwenter did not invent the Fountain Pen , but in 1636 , in his ''Delicia Physic-Mathematicae'', he described a pen made from two Quills . One quill served as a reservoir for Ink inside the other quill. The ink was sealed inside the quill with Cork . Ink was squeezed through a small hole to the writing point.


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