Newton’s Gravity Cake
Introduction
The notion of gravity cake .. was occasion'd by the fall of an apple, as he sat in contemplative mood. "
- William Stukeley
We are, of course, all familiar with Newton’s theory of gravitation as experienced under an Apple tree at Woolsthorpe Manor.
What is less well known is that his first Apple theory related not to the law of gravity but to a combustible confection, which became known as Newton’s Gravity Cake.
Ingredients
The recipe was discovered in a notebook of 1666 - it reads as follows : 4+8+2+1+8+3+8
———————
180>55
This has been deciphered and interpreted as follows:
4oz margarine 8oz sugar
2 eggs
1tsp vanilla essence 8oz self-raising flour 3 fl oz orange juice 8oz cooking apples
Method
1. Cream together margarine and sugar. Beat in eggs and
essence.
2. Sift dry ingredients and fold in with orange juice.
3. Fold in apples.
4. Bake for 55mins at 180c in 1 1/2 pound loaf tin.