G. Buffon Releases 36 volumes of "Histoire Naturelle" (jan 1, 1749 – jan 1, 1789)
Description:
George Buffon attempted to release 50 volumes of an encyclopedia that contained everything known of the natural world during his time. But he died releasing 36/50 proposed volumes. He used the novel physics of Isaac Newton to theorize how matter in motion may have formed the earth. He proposed a counter-theory to the idea that God had created the earth 7000 years ago as described in the bible. His theory stated that 70000 years ago a comet struck the sun which formed the planets of our solar system. Earth started out as a molten ball, but as it cooled down it formed solid landmasses. Clouds formed which rained and created the oceans. He theorized that from these oceans life formed. However, he believed that this life from the oceans was already in near-final form, instead of being one or a few organism that then branched out in evolution. He hypothesized that the reason some creatures are different in some regions than others is that during migration they changed to fit their environment.
Added to timeline:
History of Evolution Timeline
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