Robert Hooke's wheel barometer. Engraving of Robert Hooke's wheel barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure. Robert Hooke (1635-1703) went to Oxford and studied science under Boyle. He was an ingenious and expert mechanic and experimenter. As well as developing barometer design, he made an improved air pump for Boyle, he devised a compound microscope, and improved the telescope. He invented a revolving drum recorder for temperature and pressure, and a universal joint. He discovered Hooke's Law of elasticity, and also developed theories on light, combustion and gravity.