A blog covering the history of STEM and how we got to where we are.
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 …
The Father of Modern Accounting Benedetto Cotrugli, born in Dubrovnik (now Croatia) in 1416, is often regarded as the father of modern accounting. While his name may not be as widely recognized as other Renaissance figures, his contributions to mathematics, economics, and technology were groundbreaking and far-reaching. Cotrugli’s most famous work, “Della mercatura e del …
The Father of Analytical Geometry and Modern Philosophy René Descartes, born in 1596 in La Haye en Touraine, France, is renowned as one of the most influential mathematicians and philosophers of the early modern period. Descartes’ work not only revolutionized the fields of mathematics and philosophy but also laid the groundwork for the development of …
The Forgotten Mathematician of Ancient Greece In the annals of ancient Greek mathematics, the name of Antiphon is often overshadowed by more famous figures such as Pythagoras and Euclid. However, Antiphon’s contributions to mathematics and geometry were significant and deserving of recognition. Born around 480 BC in Athens, Antiphon was not only a mathematician but …
The Mathematician Who Charted the Course of Celestial Mechanics Pierre-Simon Laplace, born on March 23, 1749, in Beaumont-en-Auge, Normandy, France, was one of the most influential mathematicians and astronomers of the 18th and early 19th centuries. Laplace’s work in celestial mechanics, probability theory, and mathematical physics revolutionized our understanding of the universe and laid the …
An Ancient Approach to Mathematics The Babylonian civilization, which thrived in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) from around 1894 BCE to 539 BCE, made significant contributions to the field of mathematics. One of their most enduring legacies is the Babylonian number system, a positional system that served as the foundation for later numerical systems, including our modern …
Bridging the Mathematical Abyss In the realm of Irish mathematics, the name George Salmon stands as a beacon of intellectual rigor and scholarly dedication. Born on September 25, 1819, in Dublin, Salmon’s contributions to mathematics traversed both the theoretical and pedagogical domains. Early Life and Academic Prowess George Salmon’s early academic promise hinted at the …
Pioneering the Path of Planetary Motion Johannes Kepler, born on December 27, 1571, in Weil der Stadt, Germany, was a pivotal figure in the scientific revolution of the 17th century. His early life was marked by personal and intellectual challenges, including his father’s absence and his mother’s struggles to support the family. Despite these difficulties, …
Parametric equations are a fundamental tool in mathematics that describe the motion of objects and the behavior of systems in a way that’s both elegant and powerful. The history of parametric equations is a story of mathematical innovation, driven by the quest to describe complex phenomena in a simpler, more systematic manner. Let’s delve into …
A Scholarly Prelude in the Medieval Tapestry In the intricate tapestry of medieval mathematics, the name Vergilius of Salzburg emerges as a luminary whose contributions to the intellectual landscape have left a lasting imprint. Flourishing in the 8th century, Vergilius navigated a world where scholarship and religious devotion were intertwined. Early Life and Ecclesiastical Path …