15th century: Science, summary and a MAP!
Retcon:
~1340: Double-entry bookkeeping invented in Europe
1384: In Szechuan, a young official visiting one of the salt mines accidentally drops some new copper coins (Szechuan has been part of the Hong empire for just a few years) into a zinc tub full of salt solution. Being somewhat cheap, he orders a worker to retrieve them ALL. This takes some time for the worker, since the solution is too thick to see through and too thin that the coins don't sink that fast. After cleaning the coins, the official is surprised to see that some of the coins now look a bit different than others, for they were electroplated. The news spread, and during the next decades Szechuan becomes the center for the production of all kinds of galvanized metal things.
History of science in the 15th century:
1415: In Florence (which wasn't hit by Black Death), the inventor and artist Lorenzo del Vacca starts his work as a studio boy. Until his death in 1463, he'll invent many things way ahead of his time, like the "movable fortress" (a primitive tank), a hang glider, improved guns and bombs, better cryptography, and many others. In addition, he further improves the Rinascita art, leading it to its apex.
General state of the art:
Western Europe: Due to the Black Death, few progresses (except in Florence). The shock of the catastrophe was too harsh. After the invention of the printing press, people start to spread the knowledge (re-)discovered during the Rinascita again, and faster than before.
Islamic World: In conquered Naples (Al-Napuli, as they call it), the Muslims discover the use of glasses, start building telescopes and microscopes towards the end of the century.
Their mathematicians discover an algorithm for calculating nth roots.
India: Kerala school goes on, invents things like:
- Integration of functions
- Solution of transcendental equations
- Mean value theorem, foundation for calculus
- Inductive mathematical proof
China: Salt "batteries", galvanization. Beginning of primitive statistics (concept of probability).
Summary of the 15th century:
East Asia: Hong dynasty makes all of East Asia its sphere of influence, sends Treasure ships to Seljuks, clashes with them.
Muslim World: Morocco conquered by Castille. Seljuks expand greatly, into Egypt, Hejaz, Hungary, Rome. Alliance with Barbary pirates.
Eastern Europe: Russians start to expand into Siberia, Ukraine. Religious schism drives Vladimir-Suzdal and Kiev further apart from each other. Teutonic Order loses its first war.
Western and Central Europe: France wins Second and Third Aquitaine War, kicks out England from its soil. England conquers Scotland, Castille takes Portugal, and both unite to form the Quadruple Monarchy. Territories of the church in HRE seized, leading to 20yr war. All Italian states except Savoy, Venice and Florence lose independence. Netherlands, Switzerland become stronger. Bohemia becomes a theocracy.
Atlantis (America): Europeans start trading tobacco and pelts. Denmark, Scotland, Florence, Sweden, Braunschweig-Lüneburg, England, France and Castille found first colonies (although Scotland loses them again). Mayapan destroyed.
Rest of the World: Portuguese explore West African coast down to Niger river, start slave trade. Songhay replaces empire of Mali.
Read [post=666312]a paper about TTL's 15th century science[/post]!
The middle of the millennium reached! Now let's go on...
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