French Discovery in an Age of Revolution: World-Changing Scientific and Technological Advances, 1789-1815

The chaos of the French Revolution was quickly followed by the somewhat less chaotic rule of Napoleon Bonaparte. For roughly 25 years, France saw five constitutions; countless warring political factions; governments that included a monarchy, a republic, and an empire; and almost constant warfare with most of Europe. At the same time, the French fought from within, sending thousands of its own people to the guillotine.

And yet, there were perhaps more advancements during that time than any ...