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Home > Dictionary of Science Quotations > Scientist Names Index P > Rufus Porter Quotes

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Rufus Porter
(1 May 1792 - 13 Aug 1884)

American editor and inventor who put out the first issue of Scientific American on 28 Aug 1845. As an inventor, he had little business sense, but held over 100 patents.


Science Quotes by Rufus Porter (1 quote)

Rufus Porter quote Animalculae…hideous forms…with malignant and voracious propensities
From paragraph in Scientific American (1846) urging the use of water filters. (source)

The fact is generally known that nearly all liquids contain a variety of minute living animals, though in some they are too small for observation, even with a microscope. In others, especially in water that has been long stagnant, these animals appear not only in hideous forms, but with malignant and voracious propensities. … we cheerfully and heartily recommend the adoption of filters by all who use this water, from either the public or private hydrants.
— Rufus Porter
In 'Animalculae in Water', Scientific American (10 Oct 1846), 2, No. 3, 22.
Science quotes on:  |  Adoption (7)  |  Animal (651)  |  Animalcule (12)  |  Appearance (145)  |  Fact (1257)  |  Filter (10)  |  Form (976)  |  Hideous (5)  |  Known (453)  |  Liquid (50)  |  Living (492)  |  Long (778)  |  Malignant (3)  |  Microscope (85)  |  Minute (129)  |  Nearly (137)  |  Observation (593)  |  Other (2233)  |  Private (29)  |  Propensity (9)  |  Public (100)  |  Recommend (27)  |  Recommendation (12)  |  Small (489)  |  Stagnant (4)  |  Use (771)  |  Variety (138)  |  Water (503)


See also:
  • 1 May - short biography, births, deaths and events on date of Porter's birth.
  • Rufus Porter - context of quote Animalculae…hideous forms…with malignant and voracious propensities - Medium image (500 x 350 px)
  • Rufus Porter - context of quote Animalculae…hideous forms…with malignant and voracious propensities - Large image (800 x 600 px)

Carl Sagan Thumbnail In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion. (1987) -- Carl Sagan
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