It is a fascinating query to ask if we know where Isaac Newton’s apple tree is located. Isaac Newton is credited with providing us with a wealth of knowledge in both physical and mathematical forms, and his impact on modern science is unrivaled. But it is the mythic story of Newton’s apple tree that still captivates the broadest audience. The tree itself, if it still stands, is an icon and a powerful symbol that science could lead us to greater understanding. So, where is this tree, and what is its story?
The most recognizable version of the story states that Newton was seated beneath an apple tree when an apple fell on his head, prompting his now famous musings. He then proposed a set of profoundly simple laws that would explain the nature of gravity, inertia, and the movement of objects in fundamental ways – the Laws of Motion and Universal Gravitation. These findings lead many to dub Isaac Newton the father of modern science. But is it true? Did his musings stem from an apple actually falling on his head?
Contrary to popular belief, we are hard pressed to find evidence that the apple story is factual. The tree itself has been described in passing in some of his writings, as well as from testimonies from his family and friends posthumously. But no hard evidence of where the tree may have precisely stood exists. It is unclear if the tree still stands today and if it does so in the exact matter it did when Newton made his discovery.
We know, nevertheless, that the story of the apple has become an entrenched historical myth. On a few accounts, it is reported that Isaac Newton encountered an apple orchard during his visits to Britain; but if he did, there is no evidence pinpointing to that single apple. In fact, new archival evidence suggests that the famous anecdote did not originate in print until some years after the publication of Newton’s work.
Although the story has likely been embellished over the years, the tree itself still holds a place in the popular imagination. For many, the apple tree has become a symbol of scientific progress and the man behind it. Apple trees are now even present in heritage sites around the world attributed to Newton’s genius, as well as educational institutions and research centers.
A close examination of the writing by Newton’s contemporaries suggests that he was simply inspired by a nearby apple tree. Whether or not an actual apple fell on Newton’s head is still part of the enduring mythology of science. Though the exact answer remains a scientific-historical mystery, the symbolic power of Newton’s apple tree still stands.
The Role of the Apple
Not only has the apple tree become a symbol for the father of modern science, but the apple itself has become a metaphor for knowledge. This may have been spurred on by the scientific writings of Francis Bacon in the late 1500s, who believed that knowledge was akin to unlocking “the axletrees of Nature”. While the seed of this metaphorical concept did exist prior to Newton, it was through his advancement of scientific understanding and the promulgation of this mysterious apple tree story that the apple became forever linked to knowledge and scientific progress.
At the same time, Newton’s story spawned a version of the ‘Eureka!’ experience. If a single apple could inspire an individual to change the course of our scientific understanding, stories of the improbable abound. Since Newton’s time, the ability of an individual to effect a change in their circumstances has become part of our folklore. Whether it’s an apple that causes the lightbulb above our heads (figuratively speaking) or a single ‘aha!’ moment that unexpectedly confirms our hypothesis, the apple has become a universally accepted symbol of intellectual progress.
In fact, the apple has been so influential that it has achieved a place in digital culture. The classic Apple logo, a bitten apple, is one of the most recognizable icons in the world, paying magisterial homage to the iconic story.
In more contemporary times, the atom and the robot have become popularized scientific symbols with deep connections to the apple. Whether these icons, or the bites of knowledge that the apple provides, these signs are all tokens of scientific innovation. The apple has thus provided a symbol and medium for breakthroughs in conception and attainment that marks the creative possibilities of the human experience.
The Popular Imagination
Outside of the scientific understanding, the story of Isaac Newton’s apple has unquestionably become part of the popular imagination. From comic books to television and film, the story has seen a resurgence, in part because the classic tale provides an intriguing angle of unknown possibilities. This idea, that a single ill-fated apple can then propel the knowledge of one individual and visually portray an intense moment of discovery for an entire discipline, has become an appealing narrative for many interpretations.
The most well-known story is from the popular 1962 film ‘The Man Who Discovered Gravity’, which reconstructs the iconic scene of Newton under an apple tree. While this scene did dramatize theapple’s alleged destructive force, it provided an accessible means by which public audiences could then engage and imagine a single moment of breakthrough, albeit mythic in nature.
At the same time, this embrace of the apple tree story has produced a wealth of educational efforts in the form of toys and teaching models. Learning tools have seized upon the mythic story and provided visual aides to help explain and teach the physics behind Newton’s discoveries. A prime example comes in the form of a plastic apple that breaks apart to reveal a model of the Earth and the Moon, designed to help young students understand the concept of gravity between the two.
But beyond educational endeavors, the apple tree story endures today as a powerful symbol for the potential for scientific exploration and advancement. For some, it may also provide a platform to consider our own potential to affect change and make scientific breakthroughs of our own. While its exact origins may be shrouded in myth, the apple tree has thus become an enduring symbol of the power of intellect and scientific exploration.
The State of the Tree
The apple tree itself, if it still stands, is seen as an icon and a powerful symbol that science can lead us to greater understanding. Despite years of discussion, the actual tree and its whereabouts remain a mystery even to this day. In the absence of concrete evidence, there is much debate among amateur horticulturists, historians, and of course, the passionate Newtonians, who are determined to trace the present location of the tree.
Much research has gone into establishing a possible site for the grand tree. For reportedly gave two contradictory descriptions of the tree’s location, adding further confusion to an already mysterious subject. Despite these discrepancies, there are witnesses who have described the apple tree as standing in the grounds of the Newton estate in Sussex and just north of Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth in Lincolnshire. Though its precise location is unknown, it is often assumed that the tree is located somewhere within this general area.
One popular theory is that the tree is within the grounds of Cotesbach Estate in Leicestershire. Local historians have pointed out that the property was recorded as an ‘apple orchard’ in 1792 and has been associated with characters from Newton’s time. However, this claim is deemed as highly speculative and thus further investigations are necessary.
That said, if Newton’s apple tree remained standing today, it could be used as a powerful symbol to illustrate the importance of scientific progress and innovation. Resolute in our pursuit, it is truly a stunning thought to imagine that we could trace the roots of scientific learning to a single tree and a single fateful event. We may never know if the apple actually fell on Isaac Newton’s head, but the power of the apple tree’s story will undoubtedly live on.
The Apple in Today’s Technology
Apple Inc. – the company responsible for producing iconic products like the iPad, the iPod, and the iPhone – have further perpetuated the power of the story of Isaac Newton’s apple tree. In its own way, the company has adopted the apple tree’s story and narrative to produce some of the most popular technology products over the last two decades.
The association with Newton is so strong that the logo of Apple Inc. is the silhouette of the bitten apple, a tribute to the story of the falling fruit. In certain ways, the company has drawn upon the concept of the apple as a symbol of knowledge and progress to produce innovative products. While nominally referencing the tale of Isaac Newton, Apple Inc. aims to represent that their products are revolutionary technological breakthroughs that push the boundaries of what we know as possible.
In recent years, this symbolism has been further cemented with the ‘Think Different’ campaign and campaign slogan of ‘Stay Hungry, stay foolish’. These messages, together with the corporate name and logo thus hints that the company, at its core, is devoted to progress and devotion to the pursuit of knowledge.
At the same time, in 2019 Apple Inc. has created a jobs page called ‘Isaac Asimov’, paying tribute to the legacy of the father of modern science. This highly ambitious project is committed to ’empowering more people to pursue their passions and dreams and explore the world.’ While Apple Inc. has remained relatively quiet about their tribute, these references back to Isaac Newton’s symbol of knowledge and progress stand as a testament to a brand who, in its own way, continues to use the apple to further explore and promote innovation.
Looking Ahead
Isaac Newton’s story and its relation to the apple tree will continue to inspire, no matter the truth behind the tale. Speculation and skepticism aside, the story proves to be a memorable exploration into the potential for scientific discovery and its potential to captivate the public imagination.
Even though the apple tree might not have served as the precipice for Newton’s revolutionary work, the tree and the story it weaves might have very well spurred him onward. Newton’s tale of discovery has left a lasting impact on generations of scientific inquiry, from the Enlightenment era to today. Its lessons of exploration, perseverance, and success have served as the foundation of a new scientific age.
There is something rather poetic in the idea of a single apple to serve as a transformational sign of the times. For millennia, the apple has served as a beacon of knowledge and a gateway to a deeper and broader understanding of the universe. While its exact origin remains unclear, one thing is certain: the impact of Newton’s story and its promise of exploration will be a recurring theme well into the future.
