For those of us who studied Physics at school, we may know the name of Robert Hooke from "Hooke's Law" - the theory of elasticity. However most people will probably be unaware of Robert Hooke's greater contribution to the development of science during the Enlightenment. To his contemporaries, he was the "ingenius Mr. Hooke". He developed the microscope, spring pocket watch, a marine barometer, the universal joint (which is still used in cars today), was an architect, astronomer and had done much of the work on gravitational theory before Sir Isaac Newton. Very much the man about town and at the centre of events, Professor Lisa Jardine examines Hooke's diary and the insight it gives us into the world of the Enlightenment scientists.

5 October 1675
'By water with Harry to Whitehall. Called first at Merchant Taylors hall. Walked into the Park with Sir Christopher Wren. The King called me to him, bid me shew him my experiment. Followed him through tennis court garden and into his closet. Shewed him the Experiment of Springs. He was very well pleased."

Producer: Sarah Taylor

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