1764 in science

The year 1764 in science and technology involved some significant events.

Astronomy

 * Lagrange publishes on the libration of the Moon, and an explanation as to why the same face is always turned to the Earth, a problem which he treats with the aid of virtual work, containing the germ of his idea of generalized equations of motion.

Physics

 * Specific and latent heats are described by Joseph Black.

Technology

 * The spinning jenny, a multi-spool spinning wheel, is invented by James Hargreaves in Stanhill, near Blackburn, Lancashire, England.

Awards

 * Copley Medal: John Canton

Births

 * Early – James Smithson, British mineralogist, chemist and benefactor (died 1829)
 * April 3 – John Abernethy, English surgeon (died 1831)
 * May 4 – Joseph Carpue, English surgeon (died 1846)
 * September 17 – John Goodricke, English astronomer (died 1786)
 * October – William Symington, Scottish mechanical engineer and steamboat pioneer (died 1831)
 * November 10 – Andrés Manuel del Río, Spanish chemist (died 1849)
 * Maria Medina Coeli, Italian physician (died 1846)
 * Approx. date – Alexander Mackenzie, Scottish explorer (died 1820)

Deaths

 * March 17
 * William Oliver, English physician (born 1695)
 * George Parker, 2nd Earl of Macclesfield, English astronomer (born c. 1696)
 * September 2 – Rev. Nathaniel Bliss, English Astronomer Royal (born 1700)
 * November 20 – Christian Goldbach, Prussian mathematician (born 1690)