Until a few years ago, the topics in my Ph.D. were unfashionable, but they are very popular today.

Now that I near 80, I realize with wistful pleasure that on many occasions I was 10, 20, 40, even 50 years ahead of my time.

Smooth shapes are very rare in the wild but extremely important in the ivory tower and the factory.

For much of my life there was no place where the things I wanted to investigate were of interest to anyone.

Most were beginning to feel they had learned enough to last for the rest of their lives. They remained mathematicians, but largely went their own way.

There is a saying that every nice piece of work needs the right person in the right place at the right time.