William Emerson (1) (1701–1782)

"Whether a plane sided wedge (as you have taken for granted) be a solid of the best form for removing an obstacle to one side, or simply in one direction, may perhaps be doubted — Emerson, in his doctrine of fluxions, makes it a solid of curvilineal surface — Experiment however must determine this matter." — Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 29 Mar. 1798

"tho' I possess Emerson's fluxions at home, & it was the book I used at College, yet it had escaped me that he had treated the question of the best form of a body for removing an obstacle in a single direction. that of the wedge offered itself so readily as the best, that I did not think of questioning it. nor does it now occur to me on what principle it can be questioned. if you have Emerson and will be so good as to lend him to me a day or two, I will be obliged to you." — Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 30 Mar. 1798

"I return your Emerson with thanks. It has suggested a qualification of the expression in my letter, which had supposed the [wedge] the form offering least resistance to the rising sod." — Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 31 Mar. 1798… (plus d'informations)