HOOKE, ROBERT

hook, 1635–1703, English physicist, mathematician, and inventor. He became curator of experiments for the Royal Society (1662), professor of geometry at Gresham College (1665), and city surveyor of London (1667). Considered the greatest mechanic of his age, he made many improvements in astronomical instruments and in watches and clocks, was the first to formulate the theory of planetary movements as a mechanical problem, and anticipated universal gravitation. In 1684 he devised a practicable system of telegraphy. He invented the spiral spring in watches and the first screw-divided quadrant and constructed the first arithmetical machine and Gregorian telescope. He stated Hooke's law (see elasticity). In his Micrographia (1665) he described his microscopic observations of plant tissues. Hooke coined the term cell.

See studies by M. 'Espinasse (1956) and F. F. Centore (1970); bibliography by Sir Geoffrey Keynes (1960).

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