History of Math and Technology
A blog covering the history of STEM and how we got to where we are.
François Viète (1540–1603), also known as Franciscus Vieta, was a French mathematician whose groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern algebra. Born during the French Renaissance, Viète’s contributions to mathematics and science marked a significant shift in how mathematical problems were approached and solved. His revolutionary ideas bridged the gap between classical mathematics and the …
Kurt Gödel (1906–1978) is one of the most profound and influential mathematicians and logicians in history. His groundbreaking work in mathematical logic and philosophy, particularly his Incompleteness Theorems, redefined the foundations of mathematics and had far-reaching implications for science, computer science, and our understanding of knowledge itself. Often considered one of the greatest minds of …
Felix Hausdorff (1868–1942) was a German mathematician whose groundbreaking work laid the foundations for modern topology, set theory, and measure theory. A visionary thinker with a multidisciplinary background, Hausdorff combined rigorous mathematical reasoning with a deep interest in philosophy and literature. His contributions transformed abstract mathematics, influencing fields as diverse as functional analysis, probability theory, …
Aryabhata the Elder (476 CE–550 CE) is one of the most celebrated figures in the history of mathematics and astronomy. Born in the region of present-day India, Aryabhata made groundbreaking contributions that laid the foundation for many modern mathematical and scientific concepts. Through his seminal work, the Aryabhatiya, he introduced ideas that have influenced fields …
David Hilbert (1862–1943) is widely regarded as one of the most influential mathematicians of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His profound contributions to mathematics and science have shaped fields ranging from algebra and geometry to physics and logic. Hilbert’s work was not confined to technical theorems; his visionary insights helped set the course …
George David Birkhoff George David Birkhoff (1884–1944) was a towering figure in early 20th-century mathematics, whose groundbreaking work bridged the abstract realms of mathematics and the real-world phenomena of physics, engineering, and even art. Best known for his ergodic theorem and contributions to dynamical systems, Birkhoff left an indelible mark on mathematics and science. His …
Hippocrates’ Contributions to Mathematics Although Hippocrates’ work is often overshadowed by the more famous “Hippocratic Oath” associated with the medical philosopher Hippocrates of Kos, his contributions to mathematics are both significant and pioneering. He is primarily remembered for his work in geometry, especially his advances in understanding the properties of circles, areas, and volumes. The …
Pierre de Fermat (1607–1665) was a French mathematician, lawyer, and polymath whose profound contributions transformed the landscape of mathematics. Often regarded as one of the founders of modern mathematics, Fermat is celebrated for his pioneering work in number theory, analytic geometry, calculus, probability, and optics. His genius lies not only in his groundbreaking results but …
Pioneer of Non-Euclidean Geometry Giovanni Girolamo Saccheri (1667–1733) was an Italian Jesuit priest, philosopher, and mathematician whose work laid the groundwork for one of the most revolutionary ideas in mathematics: non-Euclidean geometry. Though largely overlooked during his lifetime, Saccheri’s exploration of alternatives to Euclid‘s parallel postulate would later inspire mathematicians such as Gauss, Bolyai, Lobachevsky, …
Stephen Hawking, one of the most celebrated theoretical physicists and cosmologists of the modern era, made groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of the universe. His work, which spans the fields of mathematics, theoretical physics, and cosmology, has not only advanced scientific knowledge but also captured the public’s imagination. Despite living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) …