Chronology of Complexity Theories

Here we list in chronological order the main historical events in the genesis of the complexity theories, a list organised as two main branches (math and science) and links between those branches.

The science branch conflates General Systems Theory and Cybernetics. The math branch conbimes math and computer science.

Math Branches

  • 1882, Dyn Sys Theory*
  • 1930?, Symbolic Dynamics
  • 1950?, Cellular Automata*
  • 1958, Complex Measures*
  • 1972, Fractal Geometry*
  • 1975, Chaos Theory*
  • 1979, Complex Dyn Sys*
  • 1985, Artificial Neural Networks*
  • 1990, Nonlinear Time Series

Links

  • 1917, Schismogenesis*
  • 1948, Math Biology
  • 1952, Morphogenesis*
  • 1960, System Dynamics
  • 1966, Catastrophe Theory*

Science Branches

  • 1930, Theor Biology
  • 1938, Generall Sys Th
  • 1942, Cybernetics
  • 1950?, Homeokinetics
  • 1985, General Evol Th

* denotes our intention to post a minicourse soon

Revised 25 June 2002 by Ralph Abraham, <abraham@vismath.org>