An historical note: Euler's Königsberg letters

ar X iv : h ep - t h / 97 09 13 5 v 3 1 8 D ec 1 99 7 Topology and Physics — a historical essay

§ 1. Introduction and early happenings In this essay we wish to embark on the telling of a story which, almost certainly, stands only at its beginning. We shall discuss the links between one very old subject, physics, and a much newer one, topology. Physics, being so much older, has a considerably longer history than does topology. After all the bulk of topology didn't even exist before the beg...

/ 97 09 13 5 v 4 3 1 D ec 1 99 7 Topology and Physics — a historical essay

§ 1. Introduction and early happenings In this essay we wish to embark on the telling of a story which, almost certainly, stands only at its beginning. We shall discuss the links between one very old subject, physics, and a much newer one, topology. Physics, being so much older, has a considerably longer history than does topology. After all the bulk of topology didn't even exist before the beg...

The bridges of Königsberg - A historical perspective

The Bridges of Königsberg is one of the most famous problems in graph theory. In the summer of 2005, two of the authors visited Königsberg, now called Kaliningrad. This article provides geographical and historical information on Königsberg and its bridges, as well as updated information on the current day situation. Key-words: graph theory, arc routing, history, Euler.

An Historical Note on Finite Rotations

It is shown in this paper that Euler was first to derive the finite rotation formula which is often erroneously attributed to Rodrigues, while Rodrigues was responsible for the derivation of the composition formulae for successive finite rotations and the so-called Euler parameters of finite rotation. Therefore, based upon historical facts, the following nomenclature is suggested: Euler's finit...

Euler's "Mistake"? The Radical Product Rule in Historical Perspective