Early graph theory
Early graph theory
The origins of graph theory are humble, even frivolous. Whereas many branches of mathematics were motivated by fundamental problems of calculation, motion, and measurement, the problems which led to the development of graph theory were often little more than puzzles, designed to test the ingenuity rather than to stimulate the imagination. But despite the apparent triviality of such puzzles, they captured the interest of mathematicians, with the result that graph theory has become a subject rich in theoretical results of a surprising variety and depth. So begins the book Graph Theory 1736–1936 [3], which chronicles the history of graph theory from Euler’s treatment of the Königsberg bridges problem in the 1730s to the explosion of activity in the area in the 20th century. This chapter, and Chapter 14, presents the story.
Keywords: graph theory, Euler, Kösberg bridges problem, 20th century
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