Printing the Cosmos

This dissertation addresses the printed works of mathematician, Peter Apian (1495-1552). A prolific writer and scholar, Apian produced works on a range of subjects including astronomy, cosmography, and instrumentation which were noteworthy for their extensive use of illustrations and interactive paper instruments which could be manipulated within the space of the book or even removed to function as instruments when pasted onto wooden supports. Apian's creative use of print technology to develop new types of illustrations and instruments was tied to his position as both a scholar of mathematics and his role as a printer, granting him access to both the technical and intellectual sides of his field of mathematics. The novelty of his publications not only expanded the readership for practical mathematical subjects but also demonstrated the importance of images and instruments in encouraging observational practices during the early modern period. Because of this, Apian's works represent an ideal way of understanding the nature of scientific innovation during the sixteenth century and the factors that influenced creative new achievements in print. Apian's innovations in instrument manufacture and dissemination brought different types of practical tools to a wider readership and positioned observational practice as a critical part of knowledge making. By examining Apian's readership, his ideas about instrumentation in mathematics, and his relations with patrons, this dissertation demonstrates the complex social networks at play in the burgeoning community of science as well as the role of images in fostering new connections between ideas and readers.