Topology, for many years, has been one of the most exciting and influential fields of research in modern mathematics. Although its origins may be traced back several hundred years, it was Poincař who "gave topology wings" in a classic series of articles published around the turn of the century. While the earlier history, sometimes called the prehistory, is also considered, this volume is mainly concerned with the more recent history of topology, from Poincař onwards. As will be seen from the list of contents the articles cover a wide range of topics. Some are more technical than others, but the reader without a great deal of technical knowledge should still find most of the articles accessible. Some are written by professional historians of mathematics, others by historically-minded mathematicians, who tend to have a different viewpoint.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Print version record.

Preface. The emergence of topological dimension theory (T. Crilly, D. Johnson). Development of the concept of homotopy (R. Vanden Eynde). Differential forms (V.J. Katz). Weyl and the topology of continuous Groups (T. Hawkins). Absolute neighbourhood retracts and shape theory (S. Marde & scaron;i & cacute;). Geometric aspects in the development of knot theory (M. Epple). Singularities (A.H. Durfee). 3-Dimensional topology up to 1960 (C. McA. Gordon). Graph theory (R.J. Wilson). From combinatorial topology to algebraic topology (I. James). A history of cohomology theory (W.S. Massey). A history of spectral sequences: origins to 1953 (J. McCleary). A history of duality in algebraic topology (J.C. Becker, D.H. Gottlieb). A history of rational homotopy theory (K. Hess). Topologists at conferences (I.M. James). The Japanese school of topology (M. Mimura). Johann Benedikt listing (E. Breitenberger). Luitzen Egbertus Jan Brouwer (D. van Dalen). Jakob Nielsen and his contributions to topology (V.L. Hansen). Hans Freudenthal (W.T. van Est). Subject Index.

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