In 1975, mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot, working at IBM's Watson Research Center, coined the term "fractal" and formalized the study of self-similar geometric shapes that repeat at different scales. Mandelbrot used a computer to generate the first images of what became known as the Mandelbrot set, now one of the most recognizable images in mathematics. The hosts note that fractal geometry shows up across disciplines, including biology and geophysics.
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The hosts describe fractals as not just visually striking but structurally present in fields like biology and geophysics.
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59:18We're moving on to 1975 coining and formalization of fractals. Something very popular amongst the Southern California community. >> Yes. Um fractals are a ubiquitous mathematical structure that's found in basically every single discipline. Um, and they're not just aesthetically pleasing. They have everything to do in biology. They have to do with, you know, um, geoysics. You name it. Fractalss are everywhere. This sort of self-similar structure in mathematics. Benois Mandelro, he was working at IBM's, um, Watson Research Center, and he coined the term fractal and formalized the study of this self-similar geometric
59:58shape that repeats at different scales. What you're seeing there is a photo of the Mandler set which he used a computer to actually make the first photos of and now it's sort of one of the most famous photos in you know mathematics.