History of Benoit Mandelbrot in Timeline

Benoit B. Mandelbrot, a Polish-born French-American mathematician, is renowned for his work in fractal geometry. He coined the term "fractal" and developed a theory of "roughness and self-similarity" found in nature. Mandelbrot's wide-ranging interests extended to practical sciences, focusing on the complexity and unpredictable aspects of physical phenomena.

1900: Mandelbrot Analyzes Cotton Prices

In his early research, Benoit Mandelbrot analyzed daily cotton price data from as far back as 1900, discovering that price changes did not follow a Gaussian distribution.

1920: Szolem Mandelbrojt Moves to Paris

Around 1920, Szolem Mandelbrojt, Benoit Mandelbrot's uncle, moved to Paris.

November 1924: Birth of Benoit Mandelbrot

Benoit B. Mandelbrot was born in November 1924, in Warsaw, Poland, to a Lithuanian Jewish family.

1936: Mandelbrot Family Seeks Refuge in France

In 1936, the Mandelbrot family emigrated from Poland to France, joining Benoit's father's brother, Szolem Mandelbrojt, in Paris. This move proved crucial, as it saved their lives during World War II.

1944: Mandelbrot Returns to Paris, Begins Studies

In 1944, Benoit Mandelbrot returned to Paris and began studying at the Lycée du Parc in Lyon.

1945: Mandelbrot Attends École Polytechnique

From 1945 to 1947, Benoit Mandelbrot attended the École Polytechnique, where he studied under Gaston Julia and Paul Lévy.

1947: Mandelbrot Studies at California Institute of Technology

From 1947 to 1949, Benoit Mandelbrot studied at the California Institute of Technology, earning a master's degree in aeronautics.

1949: Mandelbrot Returns to France, Continues Studies

After completing his master's degree at Caltech in 1949, Benoit Mandelbrot returned to France.

1949: Mandelbrot Joins Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

Benoit Mandelbrot joined the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique as a staff member in 1949, where he worked until 1958.

1951: Mandelbrot Expands Research into Applied Fields

From 1951 onward, Benoit Mandelbrot broadened his research scope, working on problems and publishing papers not only in mathematics but also in applied fields such as information theory, economics, and fluid dynamics.

1952: Mandelbrot Earns PhD in Mathematical Sciences

In 1952, Benoit Mandelbrot received his PhD degree in Mathematical Sciences from the University of Paris.

1955: Mandelbrot Marries Aliette Kagan

Benoit Mandelbrot married Aliette Kagan in 1955.

1958: Mandelbrot Joins IBM

In 1958, Benoit Mandelbrot and his wife, Aliette, moved to the United States, where he joined IBM's research staff at the Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, New York.

1958: Mandelbrot Begins Career at IBM

In 1958, Benoit Mandelbrot began his 35-year career at IBM, marking a significant milestone in his professional journey.

1967: Mandelbrot Publishes Influential Paper on Self-Similarity

In 1967, Mandelbrot published "How Long Is the Coast of Britain? Statistical Self-Similarity and Fractional Dimension", introducing concepts of fractals and their dimensions.

1974: Mandelbrot Proposes New Explanation for Olbers' Paradox

In 1974, Mandelbrot offered a new explanation for Olbers' paradox ("dark night sky" riddle) using fractal theory, suggesting a non-homogeneous distribution of stars in the universe.

1975: Mandelbrot Coins the Term "Fractal"

Benoit Mandelbrot coined the term "fractal" in 1975 to describe the complex geometric structures he was studying. He first published his ideas in his French book, "Les Objets Fractals: Forme, Hasard et Dimension."

1977: Publication of "Fractals: Form, Chance and Dimension"

In 1977, Benoit Mandelbrot's influential book, "Fractals: Form, Chance and Dimension" was published, which was the translated version of his earlier French book.

1979: Introduction of the Mandelbrot Set

In 1979, Benoit Mandelbrot introduced the Mandelbrot set while studying mathematical objects known as Julia sets.

1980: Discovery of the Mandelbrot Set

In 1980, Benoit Mandelbrot discovered the Mandelbrot set while using computer graphics to create and display fractal geometric images.

1982: Publication of "The Fractal Geometry of Nature"

Benoit Mandelbrot published "The Fractal Geometry of Nature" in 1982, expanding and updating his earlier ideas on fractals. This book was crucial in bringing fractals into the mainstream of mathematics, both professionally and popularly.

1987: Mandelbrot Leaves IBM

In 1987, Benoit Mandelbrot left his position at IBM after 35 years when the company chose to discontinue pure research in his division.

November 1990: Mandelbrot Appointed Chevalier in the Legion of Honour

In November 1990, Benoit Mandelbrot was made a Chevalier in France's Legion of Honour.

1993: Mandelbrot Receives Wolf Prize in Physics

Benoit Mandelbrot was awarded the Wolf Prize for Physics in 1993.

1999: Mandelbrot Achieves Tenure at Yale

Benoit Mandelbrot obtained his first tenured position at the age of 75 at Yale University in 1999.

2000: Mandelbrot Receives Lewis Fry Richardson Prize

In 2000, Benoit Mandelbrot was honored with the Lewis Fry Richardson Prize by the European Geophysical Society.

2003: Mandelbrot Receives Japan Prize

Benoit Mandelbrot received the Japan Prize in 2003.

December 2005: Mandelbrot Becomes Battelle Fellow

Benoit Mandelbrot was appointed as a Battelle Fellow at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in December 2005.

2005: Mandelbrot Retires from Yale

Benoit Mandelbrot retired from his position as Sterling Professor of Mathematical Sciences at Yale University in 2005.

January 2006: Mandelbrot Promoted to Officer of the Legion of Honour

In January 2006, Benoit Mandelbrot was elevated to the rank of Officer of the Legion of Honour in France.

2006: Mandelbrot Delivers Einstein Lectureship

The American Mathematical Society hosted Benoit Mandelbrot for the prestigious Einstein Lectureship in 2006.

May 2010: Mandelbrot Receives Honorary Degree from Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University awarded Benoit Mandelbrot an honorary degree at their May 2010 commencement ceremony.

October 2010: Death of Benoit Mandelbrot

Benoit B. Mandelbrot passed away in October 2010.

October 2010: Benoit Mandelbrot Passes Away

Benoit Mandelbrot died on October 14, 2010, at the age of 85 from pancreatic cancer. His contributions to mathematics and science left a significant impact, as noted by mathematician Heinz-Otto Peitgen.