History of Math and Technology
A blog covering the history of STEM and how we got to where we are.
The Contributions of Adrien-Marie Legendre Adrien-Marie Legendre (1752-1833) was a French mathematician who made significant contributions to a wide range of mathematical fields, including number theory, geometry, algebra, and statistics. He was one of the most prominent figures in the mathematical community during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and his work laid the …
Archimedes – The Father of Mathematics Archimedes of Syracuse, born in 287 BCE and considered one of the greatest mathematicians of antiquity, made groundbreaking contributions to mathematics, physics, and engineering. His inventive mind and rigorous methods laid foundational concepts for future generations, spanning the fields of geometry, calculus, and mechanics. Often called “the father of …
Alfred of Saxony – Logic, Philosophy and Mathematics Alfred of Saxony, born around 1320 and deceased in 1390, was an influential figure in medieval European intellectual life. He was a philosopher, logician, theologian, and mathematician who played a significant role in the early development of mathematical thought during the late Middle Ages. Alfred’s intellectual contributions …
Democedes of Crotona: The Pioneering Greek Physician Democedes of Crotona was a Greek physician who lived during the 6th century BCE. His contributions to the fields of medicine and science, although often overshadowed by later figures, were significant and laid the groundwork for the evolution of medical practices in the ancient world. While not directly …
Ptolemy: A Legacy of Mathematical and Scientific Innovation Claudius Ptolemy, commonly known simply as Ptolemy, was a Greek-Egyptian scholar whose work in mathematics, astronomy, geography, and optics left an indelible mark on the history of science. Living in the 2nd century AD, Ptolemy’s contributions to these fields were so profound that his works remained influential …
Muḥammad ibn Ibrāhīm al-Fazārī محمد بن ابراهيم الفزاري Muḥammad ibn Ibrāhīm al-Fazārī, an 8th-century scholar, astronomer, mathematician, and translator, played a pivotal role in the development of scientific knowledge during the Islamic Golden Age. His contributions to mathematics and the sciences, particularly in the fields of astronomy and astrology, were foundational and had a lasting …
Celebrating Ada Lovelace: The Enchantress of Numbers and Her Enduring Legacy in Math and Science Ada Lovelace, born Augusta Ada Byron on December 10, 1815, in London, England, is celebrated as a pioneering figure in the history of computing. She is often considered the world’s first computer programmer, thanks to her visionary work on Charles …
The Mathematician Who Solved Fermat’s Last Theorem Andrew Wiles, or more correctly Sir Andrew John Wiles KBE FRA, a renowned mathematician, is best known for his groundbreaking proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem, a problem that had puzzled mathematicians for over 350 years. Wiles’ achievement, announced in 1994, marked a significant milestone in the history of …
Emmy Noether – Pioneer of Modern Mathematics and Physics Emmy Noether, a pioneering mathematician and physicist of the 20th century, left an indelible mark on the fields of mathematics and theoretical physics. Despite facing numerous obstacles as a woman in a male-dominated field, Noether’s groundbreaking work revolutionized our understanding of abstract algebra and laid the …
The Pioneer of Greek Mathematics and Philosophy Anaximander, born around 610 BC in Miletus, a Greek colony in present-day Turkey, was a remarkable figure in the history of both mathematics and philosophy. He is often considered one of the earliest known mathematicians and philosophers in ancient Greece, and his contributions laid the groundwork for many …