1920: Foundations of Modern Mathematics

The year 1920 marked pivotal developments in topology, logical formalism, and international mathematical collaboration. This era laid the groundwork for 20th-century breakthroughs in theoretical physics and computer science.

Key Events

International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) 1920

The International Congress of Mathematicians convened in Strasbourg, France, fostering global collaboration and setting strategic priorities for emerging fields like topology and mathematical logic.

Formalism Movement

David Hilbert advanced his formalist program, advocating for mathematics to be grounded in pure symbolic logic—an approach influencing proof theory and future computational models.

Advancements in Topology

Mathematicians like Luitzen Brouwer and Kazimierz Kuratowski formalized concepts in topology, shaping modern geometry and its applications in physics.

Explore Further

ICM 1920 in Strasbourg

Discover key resolutions and debates from the foundational 1920 ICM.

Topology's Early Framework

Learn how topology's mathematical foundations evolved in this era.