Merchandise Spotlight-Galileo's Thermometer (1,026 words)

Interestingly, the date of creation for Galileo's thermoscope seems in dispute: Plow and Hearth says it is from the 16th century, while Norm Thompson describes it as of the 17th century. We checked three other sources, and each listed a different date—1593, 1597 and 1606. While either catalog's chronological claim may be correct, the consumer who receives both catalogs is left to decide which she will trust.