Based on Experience. Experiments that Changed the World

The book recounts the key milestones in the development of experimental methods in a wide range of natural, human and social sciences - physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology, physiology, medicine, archaeology, sociology, psychology, economics. The book covers the period from antiquity to modern times. The reader learns about familiar and little-known experiments that have had a huge impact on development of world visions and perception of ourselves. The author focuses not only on the history of equipment and technologies, but also on the history of ideas. The book covers the difference between the classic experiment and observation (when the nature itself is “carrying out” experiments), continuity of technical innovations, impact of social climate on the work of the researcher, and role of chance in this work.