A discourse on the theory of gunnery Delivered at the anniversary meeting of the Royal Society, November 30, 1778

"A Discourse on the Theory of Gunnery" by Sir John Pringle is a scientific exploration presented to the Royal Society, examining the mathematical and physical foundations of artillery during the 1700s. It highlights the historical progression of gunnery, beginning with ancient war machines, advancing to the age of gunpowder, and emphasizing the value of practical experiments in shaping theoretical knowledge. Pringle traces how the understanding of projectile motion grew through the work of various scholars such as Charles Hutton and Benjamin Robins, advocating that the blend of strong mathematical theory and hands-on testing is essential for advancing military technology and improving the precision of artillery. By looking at how theories of motion have been reshaped over time, Pringle promotes the importance of combining mathematical ideas with real application to improve gunnery skills.