In 1956, mathematician John Nash proved the smooth isometric embedding theorem and independently solved an instance of Hilbert's 19th problem, showing that certain elliptic partial differential equations admit smooth solutions, work that later earned him the Abel Prize. That same year, Reynold Johnson at IBM's San Jose Laboratory invented the magnetic hard disk drive, a form of nonvolatile random-access memory that keeps stored data intact even after the power is turned off.
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The hosts distinguish this mathematical work from Nash's better-known Nash equilibrium, which won him the economics memorial prize rather than the Abel Prize.
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The Abel Prize is described as mathematics' lifetime-achievement equivalent of a Nobel, created by Norway, in contrast to the Fields Medal, which only goes to mathematicians under 40.
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1:37:03there. They're all in their lifetime, but close. >> That one was close because I was like, "Oh, that's the missing thing that we needed." >> The missing link. >> Here you go. >> 1956, uh, Nash smooth embedding theorem and the solution to Hilbert's 19th problem. >> Yes. When we think of John Nash, we think of A Beautiful Mind. >> Yes. >> The Russell Crow movie. And we think of Nash Equilibrium, which is what won him the economics memorial prize, the Nobel Memorial Prize in economics, which is not a real Nobel Prize. And I will >> die on that hill. We're never going to cover the economics Nobel Prize on this podcast. But what John Nash is really known for in mathematics circles and why
1:37:44he's considered one of the great all-time mathematicians is for the Nash embedding theorems and for solving Hbert's 19th problem. He proved the smooth isometric embedding theorem and then independently proved that on elliptical partial differential equations you can have certain types of solutions. Um, and this is the stuff that won him the Abble Prize in mathematics, which is the real Nobel Prize in mathematics. It's not the Fields Medal. The Fields Medal is for stuff for people who are under 40. The Alba Prize is for this type of lifetime achievement. The style of the Nobel Prize is Norway came up with it um because they needed they figured it's
1:38:26about time we have something for mathematics. >> It's good soft power politics. 1956 invention of the magnetic hard disk drive. >> Yes, we all know what that is. The hard disk. This is the stuff that stores our data. Uh Reynold Johnson invented the magnetic hard disk um at IBM San Jose Laboratory and he invented this nonvolatile random access memory which is to say I can turn off the thing and the memory is still there. Huge for computation.