From Frechet Differentials to Firing Tables
The Scope and Sources of Gilbert Ames Bliss' Contributions to World War I Era Ballistics
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Beschreibung
This monograph explores the history of the contribution to ballistics by the American mathematician Gilbert Ames Bliss during World War I. Drawing on the then-evolving calculus of variations, Bliss pioneered a novel technique for solving the problem of differential variations in ballistic trajectory. Called Bliss’ adjoint method, this technique was both hailed and criticized at the time: it was seen as both a triumphant application of pure mathematics to an applied problem and as a complex intrusion of higher mathematics into the jobs of military personnel not particularly interested in these matters. Although he received much praise immediately after the War, the details of Bliss’ work, its furthering of pure mathematical thought, and its absorption into mainstream ballistic work and instruction have never been adequately examined.
Gluchoff explores the mathematics of Bliss’ work and the strands from which his technique was developed. He then documents the efforts to make the adjoint method accessible to military officers and the conflicts that emerged as a result both between mathematicians and officers and among mathematicians themselves. The eventual absorption of the adjoint method into range firing table construction is considered by looking at later technical books which incorporate it, and, finally, its influence on the ongoing development of functional calculus is detailed.
From Frechet Differentials to Firing Tables will appeal to historians of mathematics, physics, engineering, and warfare, as well as current researchers, professors, and students in these areas.
This monograph explores the history of the contribution to ballistics by the American mathematician Gilbert Ames Bliss during World War I. Drawing on the then-evolving calculus of variations, Bliss pioneered a novel technique for solving the problem of differential variations in ballistic trajectory. Called Bliss’ adjoint method, this technique was both hailed and criticized at the time: it was seen as both a triumphant application of pure mathematics to an applied problem and as a complex intrusion of higher mathematics into the jobs of military personnel not particularly interested in these matters. Although he received much praise immediately after the War, the details of Bliss’ work, its furthering of pure mathematical thought, and its absorption into mainstream ballistic work and instruction have never been adequately examined.
Gluchoff explores the mathematics of Bliss’ work and the strands from which his technique was developed. He then documents the efforts to make the adjoint method accessible to military officers and the conflicts that emerged as a result both between mathematicians and officers and among mathematicians themselves. The eventual absorption of the adjoint method into range firing table construction is considered by looking at later technical books which incorporate it, and, finally, its influence on the ongoing development of functional calculus is detailed.
From Frechet Differentials to Firing Tables will appeal to historians of mathematics, physics, engineering, and warfare, as well as current researchers, professors, and students in these areas.
First book devoted to the work of Gilbert Ames Bliss and the impact it had on the military and mathematics Explores a development that was instrumental in the growth of functional analysis and applied mathematics Appeals to historians of mathematics, physics, engineering, and warfare
Autor*in
Alan Gluchoff
Themen in »From Frechet Differentials to Firing Tables«
Ballistics Calculus of Variations Differential Variations of Ballistic Trajectory Gilbert Ames Bliss History of Functional Analysis World War I mathematics