Varying Gravity

After graduation from the University of Copenhagen in Physics and Chemistry, and a period as teacher in gymnasium schools, Helge Kragh became Associate Professor at Cornell University, Departments of History and Physics. Later, he took positions as Curator at the Steno Museum for Science and Medicine and Professor of the History of Science at the University of Oslo, Norway. Since 1997, he has been Professor of the History of Science and Technology, University of Aarhus, Denmark. He is a Member of the Royal Danish Academy of Science, the International Academy for the History of Science, and of the European Academy of Science. He was President of the European Society for the History of Science (2008-10).

Preface.- 1.Introductory Issues.- 2.Varying Gravity.- 3.The Expanding Earth.- 4.After Plate Tectonics.- Bibliography.- Index.

"The main idea underlying Kragh's book is the link between varying gravity and the older idea assuming an 'expansion of the Earth' in past epochs, discussed since the nineteenth century among geologists and astronomers. ... Kragh's book is a fine example of an inspiring investigation in the history and philosophy of science. I imagine that it will also be of interest to readers with a background in the earth sciences." (Hubert Goenner, Isis, Vol. 107 (4), December, 2016)

"This book is a stimulating reading material because it contains a lot of historical and systematic information in cosmology and geophysics. Moreover, it shows how fantasy can help to overcome disciplinary borderlines ... ." (Horst-Heino von Borzeszkowski, zbMATH 1344.83007, 2016)