The Lunar Society and the European Enlightenment

This Lunar Society Podcast features a lecture by Professor Simon Schaffer at Birmingham City University, introduced by Professor Julian Beer and Jackie Smith, chair of the Lunar Society. Beer welcomes attendees, highlighting the university's evolving landscape and its connection to the history of the Industrial Revolution and the Enlightenment, drawing parallels with Erasmus Darwin's work. Smith discusses the Lunar Society's mission to apply historical insights to contemporary challenges, introduces Professor Schaffer, emphasizing his expertise in the history of science and his involvement with museum projects and the selection of a scientist for the £50 note. Schaffer's lecture explores the Lunar Society's relationship with the French Enlightenment, focusing on figures like Thomas Day and the collaborations of Watt, Bolton, and Wedgwood with French industry and science, emphasizing the importance of replicating successful innovations across different locations.