On Some Recent Extensions of Statics and Dynamics

Abstract

Among the important intellectual events of the last twenty-five years, there is, we believe, one which particularly merits attention. We are speaking of the profound change which our ideas about rational Mechanics have undergone. The generally accepted notions on the nature and role of this science have been overthrown, and from this upheaval Mechanics has emerged rejuvenated, more powerful than before and capable of reigning over an incomparably more extended domain.

Originally published as “Sur quelques extensions récentes de la statique et de la dynamique,” Revue des questions scientifiques, 50 (1901), 130–57.