Non-Linear Vibrations a Chapter in Mathematical History

Abstract

Since about 1939 my researches have been, in collaboration with Professor J E. Littlewood, mainly in a field of mathematics sometimes described as non-linear mechanics, but as most of the equations in rnechanics are non-linear, it is better described as non-linear vibrations or oscillations. It is rather a curious branch of mathematics developed by different people from different standpoints, straight mechanics, radio oscillations, pure mathematics and servo-mechanisms of automatic control theory The notation varies from equations in v for voltage to θ for the angle of the pendulum, R for the radius of a gas-filled cavity, and x and y of pure mathematicians, with parameters ranging through the Greek and Roman alphabets.