Invisible College facts for kids
The Invisible College was a special name used by a group of smart people in England during the mid-1600s. These people were scientists and thinkers who loved to explore the world through experiments. They met together to share their ideas and help each other learn more about science.
This informal group is thought to be one of the first steps toward creating the famous Royal Society. The Royal Society is a very old and important group in England that still promotes science today.
Some of the key members of the Invisible College later helped start the Royal Society in 1660. Important scientists like Robert Boyle, John Wilkins, and Samuel Hartlib were part of both groups. They believed in learning through careful observation and experiments.
The Invisible College in Stories
The idea of the Invisible College has also appeared in popular books. For example, it is mentioned in the novel The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. This book is a mystery story that uses historical ideas.
The Invisible College also inspired the Unseen University in the fantasy books by Terry Pratchett. In his stories, the Unseen University is a school for wizards. It's a fun, magical twist on the idea of a secret group of thinkers.