[Woodcarver] woodcarving history...

[sally nye]

Ivan, thanks so much for replying.  As always, I think you've hit on 
something.  You're probably right.  I know that was a controversial 
time period for that subject.

About the glass magnifiers...I think they were used as a woodburning 
tool during the early ages.

Thanks
Sally
http://www.fancarversworld.com

On Jan 7, 2005, at 1:22 PM, Ivan Whillock wrote:
You do raise some interesting points.  There may have been some 
religious or
magical overtones in the early miniaturization.

Roger Bacon is credited by some for  the magnifying glass in 1250, 
though
evidence suggests that it was around long before that.
In those days scientific experiment was in its infancy.  There was a 
fine
line between science and alchemy, and many of the establishment 
resisted the
challenges to the established order that science brought about.

I would guess that miniaturization was something akin to magic in one 
point
of view and the miraclulous in another.   It accomplished "impossible"
tasks, such as writing the Lord's prayer in letters too small to be seen
with the naked eye.

Roger Bacon was jailed for a time--though I don't recall specifically
why--witchcraft or something like that.