Events from 1740

Frederick the Great takes throne, rejects Pietism for French Enlightenment but maintains Pietist administration

Zinzendorf's 'Blood and Wounds' theology period begins - extreme focus on Christ's wounds with 17 daily meditation periods

Anders Celsius develops mathematical temperature scale based on decimal divisions

Benjamin Huntsman produces crucible steel commercially in Sheffield, England

Frederick the Great abolishes torture in Prussia - Enlightenment reforms of criminal procedure