<p>Balzac is one of many authors* who have cited coffee as a boost to creativity (or at least productivity). See <a href="http://www.openculture.com/2013/09/honore-de-balzac-on-the-pleasures-and-pains-of-coffee.html">this article</a>, for example.  </p>

<p>My question is whether anyone has argued that coffee or caffeine was a factor in the rapid advancement of science beginning in 1600 or so. Coffee houses such as <a href="http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-london/londons-coffee-houses">The Grecian</a> were frequented by the likes of Sir Isaac Newton. True or not, it seems unlikely no one has thought to connect caffeine consumption and its gift of marginally-increased clarity** to the revolution in science and humanities in Europe.  </p>

<p>If someone could point to articles on this topic or has a feel for the history involved that would be great.</p>

<p>*Rényi said, "A mathematician is a device for turning coffee into theorems." We wouldn't credit coffee for his success but there is a probably a grain (or bean) of truth there.  </p>

<p>**As measured, say, by <a href="http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/coffee-consumption-affects-college-students-tests-12614.html">performance on tests</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-07-31T11:32:49.253Z
This would be almost impossible to prove. Just looking for thoughtful arguments if there are any to be found.
daniel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-03T13:43:31.653Z
Well one argument could be that people gathered in coffee houses to discuss science politics etc. over a cup of coffee. They might have made interaction between brilliant people more likely to happen - Newton, for example, wasn't a very social fellow otherwise. Coffee houses were even called Schools of the Wise according to some google-ing [here](http://www.ncausa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=68) and [here](http://www.livescience.com/2535-coffee-changed-world.html). That can be a starting point for a literature search :)
schvaba
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-13T00:35:06.153Z
This is a very good question!
Cary Bondoc
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-14T14:11:27.907Z
Correlation vs. causation? Perhaps it was heightened perception and reasoning that made people seek out coffee!
fredley
<history>
Coffee as a factor in rapid scientific progress?
daniel
# Coffee as a factor in rapid scientific progress?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-07-31)

Balzac is one of many authors\* who have cited coffee as a boost to creativity (or at least productivity). See [this article](http://www.openculture.com/2013/09/honore-de-balzac-on-the-pleasures-and-pains-of-coffee.html), for example.

My question is whether anyone has argued that coffee or caffeine was a factor in the rapid advancement of science beginning in 1600 or so. Coffee houses such as [The Grecian](http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-london/londons-coffee-houses) were frequented by the likes of Sir Isaac Newton. True or not, it seems unlikely no one has thought to connect caffeine consumption and its gift of marginally-increased clarity\*\* to the revolution in science and humanities in Europe.

If someone could point to articles on this topic or has a feel for the history involved that would be great.

\*Rényi said, "A mathematician is a device for turning coffee into theorems." We wouldn't credit coffee for his success but there is a probably a grain (or bean) of truth there.

\*\*As measured, say, by [performance on tests](http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/coffee-consumption-affects-college-students-tests-12614.html).

**Tags:** history

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: This would be almost impossible to prove. Just looking for thoughtful arguments if there are any to be found.  
> **username_1**: Well one argument could be that people gathered in coffee houses to discuss science politics etc. over a cup of coffee. They might have made interaction between brilliant people more likely to happen - Newton, for example, wasn't a very social fellow otherwise. Coffee houses were even called Schools of the Wise according to some google-ing [here](http://www.ncausa.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=68) and [here](http://www.livescience.com/2535-coffee-changed-world.html). That can be a starting point for a literature search :)  
> **username_2**: This is a very good question!  
> **username_3**: Correlation vs. causation? Perhaps it was heightened perception and reasoning that made people seek out coffee!  

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## 0 answers

