[Squawk 8888]

Ping.

[MUDDOG]

I heard this one and hope it's true:

When he was head of the mint, Newton invented the use of notched edges on the rim of coins, to keep people from shaving off the gold and silver, making it easily detectable.

[TaMoDee]

Here’s three more myth’s:
1. He invented gravity.
2. He baked the first fig bar.
3. He was Olivia’s father before she married John.

[PlasticMan]

This one could have been written better:

5. Newton found secret numerological codes in the Bible.

True. Like his fellow analysts of scripture, Newton believed there were important meanings attached to the numbers found there. In one theological treatise, Newton argues that the Pope is the anti-Christ based in part on the appearance in Scripture of the number of the name of the beast, 666. In another, he expounds on the meaning of the number 7, which figures prominently in the numbers of trumpets, vials and thunders found in Revelation.

This shows that Newton believed that he had found numerological codes in the Bible, not that he actually did so; the writer poses the latter question and answers the former.

[ClearCase_guy]

I like his Three Laws of Robotics.

[DManA]

IF it’s a myth that he dabbled in alchemy then it’s a pretty enduring myth.

[El Cid]

I don't know about the 'heretic' accusation. It may be true, as Socinianism (denying the divinity of Christ) was a diseased strain that was around in those days (as it was earlier with the Arianists, and then later with the Russellites and the JWs). And it is true that if Newton was of that ilk, he had good reason to keep his thoughts to himself, since Christ deniers have always been looked down upon in Christian countries (which England was in the 1600s). But I read his manuscript on Daniel's Prophecy, and if my memory serves me correctly he did seem to make statements that would only be consistent with a belief that Jesus Christ was truly God and man. But I agree that it wasn't a black and white statement -- just a vague allusion to the fact.

Anyways, I don't think I've seen any conclusive data that shows he was a heretic -- just oft repeated suspicions.

[Squawk 8888]

Best thread I’ve seen anywhere in ages. Thank you!

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

What about the Fig Newton? Did he invent it, yes or no?

[minnesota_bound]

True story: Isaac Newton did not like apples again after one fell on his head....

[dr_lew]

I say he was not an Alchemist, although he took the Alchemical writings very seriously, believing that the reflected some kind of encoded or remanant knowledge from a previous Age of Wisdom. So his beliefs were not mystcial or magical, and he was searching for a rational interpretation of the alchemical results, which he tried to reproduce.

Certainly, he was on the wrong track.

[muir_redwoods]

Sounds like Newton may have had Aspergers