[[Learned society|Learned societies]] for the communication and promotion of scientific thought and experimentation have existed since the [[Renaissance]] period. The oldest surviving institution is the {{lang|it|''[[Accademia dei Lincei]]''}} in [[Italy]]. National [[Academy of Sciences]] are distinguished institutions that exist in a number of countries, beginning with the British ''[[Royal Society]]'' in 1660 and the French {{lang|fr|''[[Académie des Sciences]]''}} in 1666. | [[Learned society|Learned societies]] for the communication and promotion of scientific thought and experimentation have existed since the [[Renaissance]] period. The oldest surviving institution is the {{lang|it|''[[Accademia dei Lincei]]''}} in [[Italy]]. National [[Academy of Sciences]] are distinguished institutions that exist in a number of countries, beginning with the British ''[[Royal Society]]'' in 1660 and the French {{lang|fr|''[[Académie des Sciences]]''}} in 1666. |