The history of science: Defending epistemology with new technologies

The leap in scientific discoveries made with new computer technologies can be compared to the invention of the printing press and expanding scientific thought in the 16th century. Nowadays, new communication technologies offe ring a multimedia contribution illustrate the fascinating reality of scient ific exploration even for individuals who can otherwise not be reached. Sin ce rare books are usually kept in libraries with limited access, the strict safekeeping, however, often overrides the need for academic consultation. Moreover, rare manuscripts are often illustrated with figures that are just as important as the written texts, but which are also unavailable. We comb ined our expertise in biology, medicine and multimedia to produce a CD-ROM with a hyperlinked text on the scientific revolution of the 16th century, f ocusing on the early conceptualization of life sciences in Europe. In this paper we show the first page of Malpighi's Epistle II (De pulmonibus - on t he Lungs) as it appeared in Opera Omnia published in London (1686) by the R oyal Society.