Difference between revisions of "Hermann Minkowski"
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By 1907, Minkowski observed that the work of [[Lorentz]] and [[Henri Poincaré]] on special relativity could be better described in a non-euclidean space. Minkowski considered that space and time, previously thought to be independent, were actually coupled together in a four-dimensional "space-time continuum." Minkowski also developed a four-dimensional treatment of electrodynamics. His major papers were Raum und Zeit (1907) and Zwei Abhand lungen über die Grundgleichungen der Elektrodynamik (1909). | By 1907, Minkowski observed that the work of [[Lorentz]] and [[Henri Poincaré]] on special relativity could be better described in a non-euclidean space. Minkowski considered that space and time, previously thought to be independent, were actually coupled together in a four-dimensional "space-time continuum." Minkowski also developed a four-dimensional treatment of electrodynamics. His major papers were Raum und Zeit (1907) and Zwei Abhand lungen über die Grundgleichungen der Elektrodynamik (1909). | ||
| − | Minkowski died prematurely of a ruptured appendix | + | Minkowski died prematurely of a ruptured appendix. [[Albert Einstein]] criticized Minkowski's idea that time was the fourth dimension, but eventually accepted it and took credit for it. |
[[Category:Mathematicians|Minkowski, Hermann]] | [[Category:Mathematicians|Minkowski, Hermann]] | ||
Revision as of 00:08, September 11, 2009
Hermann Minkowski (1864-1909) was a German/Jewish mathematician who developed the mathematical foundation for a space-time continuum in the theory of relativity.
By 1907, Minkowski observed that the work of Lorentz and Henri Poincaré on special relativity could be better described in a non-euclidean space. Minkowski considered that space and time, previously thought to be independent, were actually coupled together in a four-dimensional "space-time continuum." Minkowski also developed a four-dimensional treatment of electrodynamics. His major papers were Raum und Zeit (1907) and Zwei Abhand lungen über die Grundgleichungen der Elektrodynamik (1909).
Minkowski died prematurely of a ruptured appendix. Albert Einstein criticized Minkowski's idea that time was the fourth dimension, but eventually accepted it and took credit for it.