title: The state of the science of nonlinear dynamics in 1963.
abstract: When Edward Lorenz published his paper in 1963 on the deterministic nonperiodic solutions present in what is now called the "Lorenz Equations," he did so in the context of a rich theory of nonlinear dynamics beginning with the work of Poincare. Here we trace the influences present in his work as well as provide a snapshot of the nonlinear world in 1963 to explain why his paper had such a pervasive effect on the science of nonlinear dynamics and its applications. In doing this, we also discover the critical timing of the development of the computer in this effort.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881, USA. stephen.merrill@marquette.edu
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Merrill