The Bernoulli family have lived in Antwerp, Belgium for generations. During the Reformation in16th century, the Bernoulli family converted to Protestantism. With the signing of the 1555 Augsburg Peace Treaty, European rulers have the full right to decide the sects their people believe in. Those who cannot accept it have to move to other countries. In desperation, the Bernoulli family had to leave home and move to Frankfurt. At that time, the financial center of Europe was a free city of the Holy Roman Empire, and people enjoyed freedom of religious belief.

However, in 1562, Frankfurt replaced Aachen as the venue for the coronation ceremony of the holy Roman emperor, and the religious atmosphere became increasingly tense. The Bernoulli family moved away again and came to Basel, Switzerland in 1583, ending the exile of two generations. Two migrations of the Bernoulli family.

As outsiders, the previous generations of Bernoulli family became big businessmen through marriage with local extended families and wealthy businessmen. A wealthy family environment gives future generations more opportunities to receive a good education. Starting from old Nicholas, all male family members went to college. They shoulder the expectations of their families and have a lot of property to inherit. But to Nicholas's disappointment, Jacob, the eldest son, and John, the youngest son, both turned to mathematics and achieved excellent results.

Since then, several generations of outstanding heirs of the Bernoulli family have been fascinated by mathematics, just as drunkards can't live without spirits. Eight mathematicians were born in three generations, which is only the first family in the history of mathematics.

Three of them achieved the greatest success. In addition to the James and John brothers mentioned above, there is also Daniel, the son of John. However, this may be the insecurity caused by family exile, or it may be the merchant gene inherited in the family. As top mathematicians, they are unwilling to accept collective honor and must compete with each other. So the brothers and the father and son fought a glorious battle until they died.