Episode 1: The Great Calculus War
Description
The Great Calculus War
Who really invented calculus? Tonight, we explore one of mathematics' most fascinating controversies—the bitter rivalry between Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz over credit for developing calculus.
Discover how a brilliant young Newton developed his "method of fluxions" in secret, why Leibniz's approach was actually more elegant, and how their dispute divided European intellectuals for decades. We'll meet the colorful characters caught in the middle, explore the politics of 17th-century academia, and uncover how this mathematical feud shaped the way we think about scientific discovery itself.
Along the way, you'll learn why calculus was such a revolutionary breakthrough, how it unlocked the secrets of motion and change, and why this 300-year-old argument still matters today. Perfect for drifting off while absorbing some genuinely fascinating intellectual history.
Sweet dreams, and welcome to Dormant Knowledge—where learning happens while you rest.