1764 in science

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The year 1764 in science and technology involved some significant events.

Astronomy

• Lagrange publishes on the libration of the Moon, and an explanation as to why the same face is always turned to the Earth, a problem which he treats with the aid of virtual work, containing the germ of his idea of generalized equations of motion.

Physics

• Specific and latent heats are described by Joseph Black.

Technology

• The spinning jenny, a multi-spool spinning wheel, is invented by James Hargreaves in Stanhill, near Blackburn, Lancashire, England.

Awards

• Copley Medal: John Canton

Births

• Early – James Smithson, British mineralogist, chemist and benefactor (died 1829)
• April 3 – John Abernethy, English surgeon (died 1831)
• May 4 – Joseph Carpue, English surgeon (died 1846)
• September 17 – John Goodricke, English astronomer (died 1786)
• October – William Symington, Scottish mechanical engineer and steamboat pioneer (died 1831)
• November 10 – Andrés Manuel del Río, Spanish chemist (died 1849)
• Maria Medina Coeli, Italian physician (died 1846)
• Approx. date – Alexander Mackenzie, Scottish explorer (died 1820)

Deaths

• March 17
  • William Oliver, English physician (born 1695)
  • George Parker, 2nd Earl of Macclesfield, English astronomer (born c. 1696)
• September 2 – Rev. Nathaniel Bliss, English Astronomer Royal (born 1700)
• November 20 – Christian Goldbach, Prussian mathematician (born 1690)