Jochen Büttner currently investigates processes of innovation in the ancient world. A particular focus lies on the question which role knowledge played in these processes and, how in turn, innovation influenced the formation of theoretical bodies of knowledge. In April 2024, Jochen Büttner transitioned to the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology.
He retains his longstanding interest in early modern mechanics. His main research theme in this area regards the role of so-called "challenging objects" as mediators between practical and theoretical knowledge in the early modern period.
Jochen Büttner has long been concerned with the use, theoretically as well as practically, of new electronic media in the history of science and, more generally, in the humanities. In this context, he has collaborated in, designed and directed a number of projects.
Projekte
Albert Einstein—Chief Engineer of the Universe (Exhibition 2005)
Atlas of Innovations
Knowledge of Astronomy and the Invention of the Telescope: International Year of Astronomy 2009
Pratolino: The History of Science in a Garden
The Emergence and Expansion of Preclassical Mechanics
Weighing as an Early Global Innovation
Selected Publications
Eberle, Oliver, Jochen Büttner, Hassan El-Hajj, Grégoire Montavon, Klaus-Robert Müller, and Matteo Valleriani (2024). “Historical Insights at Scale: A Corpus-wide Machine Learning Analysis of Early Modern Astronomic Tables.” Science Advances 10 (43 …
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Eberle, Oliver, Jochen Büttner, Hassan el-Hajj, Grégoire Montavon, Klaus-Robert Müller, and Matteo Valleriani (2024). “Historical insights at scale: a corpus-wide machine learning analysis of early modern astronomic tables.” Science Advances 10 (43)…
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Büttner, Jochen (2024). “Vor dem Wiegen: Überlegungen zur Entstehung der Gewichtsmessung.” Die Kunde 2020 (71): 1–34.
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Büttner, Jochen (2024). “„Nicht völlig ins Leere gegangen.“: eine Replik auf die Kommentare von Oliver Dietrich, Bianka Nessel, Nicola Ialongo, Lorenz Rahmstorf und Rebecca Peake.” Die Kunde 2020 (71): 69–75.
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