Our competition is between Athens, in Greece, and Cambridge, in England, each with their unique contributions to physics and engineering. But we pick Cambridge, England as the winner, and here’s why:
Physics is the foundational science helping us understand the universe, with mathematics acting as its language. The role of engineers is then to transform this knowledge into practical applications. This interplay between Physics, Mathematics, and Engineering has been the backbone of civilization’s development.
Consider the Egyptians, credited as early pioneers, with impressive architectural feats to show for it. They made significant strides in Physics and Mathematics as early as 1600 B.C.E. The contribution of their knowledge, while impactful at the time, has seen transformations over the centuries and is not used in its original form.
Babylon, now Hillah, Iraq, is another prominent player on the scientific stage. Their contributions in the 6th century BC, notably the base 60 system used in time (an hour has 60 minutes, a minute has 60 seconds and a circle is 360 degrees which is 60 * 6), are used today in their original form. In addition to their pioneering work in Algebra, they lay partial claim to the concept of zero (India can also lay claim to this), an essential element in mathematics.
The baton was then passed to Athens a few decades later, becoming the intellectual epicenter of the world. The Greeks introduced Philosophy as a tool to unravel the universe’s mysteries, further shaping modern physics. Many Greek concepts still in use today, such as atoms, buoyancy, Euclidean Geometry, the Pythagorean theorem, and a huge list, demonstrate the profundity of their contribution. Many of these theories and laws are still used in their original unmodified form, today, 2500 years later. That’s truly amazing. But it’s not enough to be the Greatest of all time. Athens is the amazing LeBron James to Cambridge’s Michael Jordan (A basketball reference).
Picture a city that has given the world its equivalent of Michael Jordan in the dynamic field that explains our universe. That city is Cambridge, England. This is where Sir Isaac Newton made his mark, a man who is as synonymous with physics, engineering, and mathematics as Jordan is with basketball, i.e. the GOAT (Greatest of all time). In the next paragraph, we will compare Isaac Newton to Michael Jordan to see why Newton is a better hands down GOAT in his field than Jordan is in his.
Consider the fact that 12 basic laws dictate the foundation of physics. These laws represent undeniable truths, as opposed to theories known for being the closest approximation to the truth, as such they can be disputed and always have exceptions to the rule, like French grammar, a rule-based language with many exceptions. Newton has sole credit for 4 of the 12 laws (3 of motion, and universal gravitation) that describe our universe. He also heavily influenced the 4 laws of thermodynamics created after his death, giving him 4 assists to go along with his 4 baskets out of 12 possible points. Even Michael Jordan can’t compete with that level of efficiency on his best days, let alone his career, in the field he dominated. Just like the Chicago Bulls have Jordan, Cambridge, England can claim Sir Isaac Newton. Unlike Jordan, who couldn’t build on his success as a player, when he became an owner, Newton could build on his success in Physics and Math (he also co-invented calculus) to take the next step and excel as an Engineer, taking the theoretical knowledge he developed and making it practical. Hence he is also the father of Engineering. If that’s not the GOAT then what is? Not bad for a 17th-century figure unsurpassed even today.
We’ll take you on a journey to Cambridge, England, and its neighboring districts. We aim to show you not only the University that Newton once graced, but also the breathtaking landscapes often left unexplored in this picturesque part of England. Did we mention England invented the internet as well? Along with the Industrial Revolution, there can be no denying England’s extremely significant modern contribution to our lives, regardless if one feels it’s good or bad as life needs both to a reasonable degree.
Universities are centers of learning, but Cambridge, their namesake university raises that bar by becoming the ultimate museum teaching ordinary citizens, along with university students making it an incredible tourist attraction. The University of Cambridge in England, boasts no less than nine awe-inspiring museums. Having been founded in 1209, it’s not the oldest academic institution in the world or even on British soil. Nevertheless, it’s distinguished enough to amass an extensive trove of artworks, scientific marvels, and cutting-edge computing exhibits capable of captivating any curious mind. However, a mere paragraph doesn’t do justice to the breadth and depth of these nine museums. For a more immersive experience, we’ve got a video to astound you. Have you ever heard of another similar museum? The Smithsonian in Washington D.C. is an equally underrated gem. Like Cambridge, it contains a diverse range of exhibits across various genres and fields. This truly sets these two museums apart from most others on the planet.
"So, so you think you can tell Heaven from hell? Blue skies from pain? Can you tell a green field From a cold steel rail? A smile from a veil? Do you think you can tell?"
For a modest town of just 130,000 residents, Cambridge, England has been home to some renowned musicians. The artists who created the music on three of the top 25-selling albums of all time can claim to have been born here. First up is the iconic ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ album by Pink Floyd. Despite the unfortunate passing of members Syd Barrett and Richard Wright, the band’s influence remains, The album’s popularity continues unabated, five decades after its release, consistently adding to its impressive 45 million sales, ranking it as the fourth highest-selling album of all time. Pink Floyd has another album in the top 20 in sales, ‘The Wall’ best remembered for its chant of ‘We don’t need no education … we don’t need no thought control’
A visit to Cambridge isn’t complete without a trip to the Cambridge Corn Exchange. Pink Floyd, including Cambridge natives Roger Waters and Syd Barrett, once graced this stage in the early stages of their illustrious career. Although you won’t catch them performing today, the ghosts of the legends linger in this venue saturated with musical history.
You can sample Pink Floyd’s music here
It’s essential to note that the members of Pink Floyd, including David Gilmour who replaced Syd Barrett in 1968, all received some form of education in Cambridge. This city, bathed in academia and music alike, played a crucial role in shaping the careers of these influential rock icons.
If you’re curious, the other top-selling artist from Cambridge is Olivia Newton-John. Despite being born here, she relocated to Australia when she was just 6 years old. She sang on the soundtrack to the movie ‘Grease’, while playing the lead female role in the movie itself. The soundtrack is in the top 25 of all time in terms of sales. Considering the fact that all this University knowledge can confuse young minds until they sort out the enlightenment, is it any wonder that music created during one’s university years is usually more melancholic? No one will claim that Pink Floyd’s great music is cheerful. But we can all claim Olivia’s music to be more cheerful. Could this be because she left this university town? After all most musicians make it big when they’re young.
You can sample Olivia’s music here.
"Glaciers melting in the dead of night (ooh) And the superstars sucked into the supermassive (you set my soul alight)"
Let’s seek another musical act borne from the University of Cambridge and raised in the city itself, the band Muse. The lead vocalist, Matthew James Bellamy hails from this intellectually rich city. Bellamy began his tryst with music early, at the age of six with the piano, and adding the guitar at eleven. Cambridge’s intellectual milieu played a vital role in shaping Bellamy’s career and is profoundly reflected in Muse’s music. Their lyrics often explore science, technology, and the cosmos—a clear nod to this scholarly backdrop. Rest assured, this isn’t a critique of Muse’s work. Their impactful but melancholic music is undeniably commendable and brilliant in the eyes of this writer, who despite this would like to see Muse and Pink Floyd try something happier.
As a former University graduate, looking back one realizes that the University years are the best time in one’s life. However, in an ironic twist, modern University dorm rooms seem even less cheerful and far more guilt-ridden than the most melancholic church possible, which leaves us wondering about the happiness quotient in our educational institutions, and why depression is on the rise in a furiously fast way. Also makes church more appealing, logical, and happier, something few university-educated students ever thought was possible, including this author.
You can sample Muse here.
"Boom clap, the sound of my heart The beat goes on and on and on and on and"
Here’s another musician born in Cambridge, however, her major hits are happier! Who would have thought as she too was born in Cambridge, England. The happiness is probably there, most likely because she never went to the University in Cambridge or got a university degree, deciding instead to pursue Music with the blessing of her parents at the age of 14. Many people with University degrees can relate to the jumbled mess in our heads once we graduate. The musician did attend a fine arts school though. Charli XCX’s interest in music began at an early age. She started writing songs when she was just 14 and began recording her music on a loaned laptop. She released her debut album, ’14’, in 2008, which caught the attention of a promoter who invited her to perform at warehouse raves and parties. Her breakthrough came in 2012 when she was featured on the hit song ‘I Love It’ by Icona Pop. The song was a global success, reaching number one in the UK and top ten in the US. This marked the beginning of Charli XCX’s international fame. In 2014, she released her second studio album, ‘Sucker’, which included the hit singles Boom Clap’ and ‘Break the Rules’. The album was a commercial success and further established Charli XCX as a prominent figure in the pop music industry.
You can sample her music here.
Let’s leave the small city of Cambridge and venture to the nearby countryside. How about a visit to the Norfolk Coast Area for outstanding natural beauty? Known for its remarkable landscapes, this area features everything from expansive sandy beaches to dramatic cliffs. What’s more, it’s a wildlife haven, home to seals, birds, and sometimes even whales. Despite these fascinating facts, nothing compares to the views in the drone footage highlighted above. Often, drone videos can disappoint, but this one doesn’t. It’s excellently done and worth a watch.
One thing that emerges from British culture is a sense of sarcasm and wit, and no place exemplifies that more than the city’s ‘Reality Checkpoint’ lamp post in Parker’s Piece, a large park in the center of the city. The lamp post is so named because it supposedly marks the boundary between the ‘real world’ and the ‘academic world’. Nearby, you can visit the University Arms Hotel, which overlooks Parker’s Piece. The hotel’s Parker’s Tavern is a quintessentially British brasserie where you can enjoy a meal or a drink. Being on the North side of the park it is technically in the real world and that’s why you can enjoy the great beers in their tavern. You can also go to the ‘academic world’ side of the lamp post and visit the city center which is within walking distance of the park.
Haunted tour of Cambridge
Universities harbor an undeniable capacity to stir curiosity and foster outside-the-box reasoning, even when those ideas venture into the realm of conspiracies. Think of a haunted tour of Cambridge for instance, where you explore its charming streets through the lens of ghost stories and folklore. The picture above was taken on what many claim to be the most terrifying road in England. Truth or exaggeration? Join the tour here and judge for yourself!
If you’re a fan of desserts, don’t miss out on ‘Cambridge Burnt Cream’ when you’re in the city. Don’t be fooled by the name, it’s not a ‘savoury dish’ but, in fact, a delectable dessert similar to the French crème brûlée. This British version involves infusing the cream with vanilla and topping it with a layer of hard caramel that is torched to give a distinctive flavor. You’ll find the recipe just above.
When exploring the serene countryside of Cambridge, consider having a traditional Ploughman’s lunch. This humble meal, often associated with the hardworking farmers, is simple yet fulfilling. It mainly consists of cheese, ham, apples, pickles, and bread. It’s an ideal repast to savor in a quaint country pub following a rewarding walk amidst the verdant landscapes of Cambridgeshire.
Lastly, as you settle into a cozy pub, order a stuffed pie filled with partridge, venison, or pheasant. Regardless of any opinions to the contrary, pub food is, in essence, comfort food and is simply the best!
Study.com (Laws of Physics), International Journal of Physics and Science (Newton’s law of universal gravitation), European-American Journals (Newton’s laws of motion), Classical and Quantum Gravity (Laws of Thermodynamics), International Journal of Science and Engineering (Ancient Egypt), Journal of Advancements in Computer Science (Egypt and Babylon), Astronomy Education Review (Ancient Babylon), European Journal of Physics (Greece – Archimedes)
All images are AI-generated using Fotor and are meant to describe the subject matter they portray figuratively, not factually.
