wave theory of light. Biot began his work on polarization to show that the results he was obtaining could appear only if light were made of corpuscles. In 1815 he demonstrated that "polarized light, when passing through an organic substance, could be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, dependent upon the optical axis of the material." His work in chromatic polarization and rotary polarization greatly advanced the field of optics, although it was later shown that his findings could also be obtained using the wave theory of light. Biot's work on the polarization of light has led to many breakthroughs in the field of optics. Liquid crystal displays (LCDs), such as television and computer screens, use light that is polarized by a filter as it enters the liquid crystal, to allow the liquid crystal to modulate the intensity of the transmitted light. This happens as the liquid crystal's polarisation varies in response to an electric control signal applied across it. Polarizing filters are used extensively in photography to cut out unwanted reflections or to enhance reflection. Cream of Tartar Potassium bitartrate was first discovered inside a wine container in Iran. The modern application of the substance began in 1768, and in 1832, Jean Baptiste Biot discovered the physical properties of cream of tartar. The item gained most of its popularity when the French began using it frequently in their cooking. Selected writings Traité élémentaire d'astronomie physique (Klostermann, 1810–1811) Traité de physique expérimentale et mathématique( Deterville, 1816) Précis de l'histoire de l'astronomie chinoise (impr. impériale, 1861) Études sur l'astronomie indienne et sur l'astronomie chinoise (Lévy frères, 1862) Mélanges scientifiques et littéraires (Lévy frères, 1858) Recherches sur plusieurs points de l'astronomie égyptienne (Didot, 1823) See also Abampere History of the metre Seconds pendulum Notes References Frankel, Eugene. "Corpuscular Optics and the Wave Theory of Light: The Science and Politics of Revolution in Physics." Social Studies of Science vol. 6, no 2. May 1976. Sage Publications, Ltd. 15 June 2009 <https://www.jstor.org/stable/284930>. Westrum, Ron. "Science and Social Intelligence about Anomalies: The Case of Meteorites." Social Studies of Science vol. 8, no.4 Nov. 1978. Sage Publications, Ltd. 15 June 2009 <https://www.jstor.org/stable/284819>. Parsley, Robert J. "THE BIOT-SAVART OPERATOR AND ELECTRODYNAMICS ON BOUNDED SUBDOMAINS OF THE THREE-SPHERE". University of Pennsylvania. <http://users.wfu.edu/parslerj/research/dissertation.parsley.pdf> Further reading External links Short biography at Pasteur Brewing French civil engineers École Polytechnique alumni École des Ponts ParisTech alumni Corps des ponts 1774 births 1862 deaths Scientists