Decisive Decades: Celebrating The Closing Century

A glance at the major time periods in the history of mathematics reveals a picture of many dimensions. Inspiring moments of tremendous impact extend from the dawn of history to the present. Within such a wide range of advancement by centuries, even millennia, evolving disciplines, diverse contributors, and famous problems (both solved and unsolved) stand out. Although the condensation of seven thousand years of mathematical history into a few words is an impossible task, a certain perspective of the distant setting is gained. As the twentieth century comes to attention, perspective is much more elusive.

The forest is largely obscured by the trees. Only lately has a meaningful assessment of mid-century events proved possible. More recent advancements must await a judgment of history as to impact and determination of critical elements in a transition to the twenty-first century.

Table of Contents:

PASSAGE TO THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

MATHEMATICS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
1st Decade [1901-1910]
2nd Decade [1911-1920]
3rd Decade [1921-1930]
4th Decade [1931-1940]
5th Decade [1941-1950]
6th Decade [1951-1960]
7th Decade [1961-1970]
8th Decade [ 1971-1980]
9th Decade [1981-1990]
10th Decade [1991-2000]

THE CENTURY'S EARLIER YEARS

THE CENTURY'S MIDDLE YEARS

THE CENTURY'S LATER YEARS

REFERENCES