Eduard Stiefel

Eduard Stiefel was a notable Swiss mathematician known primarily for his contributions to algebra and topology. Born in 1909, he made significant advancements in the theory of real algebraic varieties and the topology of manifolds. Stiefel is particularly remembered for the Stiefel manifold, a mathematical structure that generalizes the idea of vector spaces and is essential in fields like differential geometry and mathematical physics. His work has had a lasting impact on various branches of mathematics, influencing areas such as optimization and control theory. Stiefel passed away in 1978, leaving a strong legacy in mathematics.