1794 The revolutionary situation began to deteriorate. It was at that time that gaspard monge's good friend and chemist lavoisier was declared "revolution doesn't need science" and was guillotined.
Today, two years later, 50-year-old gaspard monge is considered "not radical enough" by the revolutionary masses. He had to flee Paris, fearing for his own safety on the way-the fanatical revolutionary masses could take him back at any time and send him to the guillotine.
It turns out they met four years ago. At that time, gaspard monge served as the French navy minister, while Napoleon was still an "underrated young artillery officer". Napoleon was warmly welcomed by the minister. Although gaspard monge didn't remember it at all, Napoleon still "cherished this memory". An unexpected letter dispelled gaspard monge's fears. The writer is Napoleon, commander-in-chief of the Italian army in France and China. The 27-year-old commander-in-chief said in his letter that he would like to "extend a hand of thanks and friendship" to gaspard monge, but he also wanted to thank him.
Of course, gaspard monge's memory for the French people is far more than that.
1768, 22-year-old gaspard monge started descriptive geometry, which is the root of today's mechanical drawing and graphics methods. This young man from Mezyer military school designed fortifications in this way. At first, the design was sent to a senior official, who didn't believe that the son of the sharpener could work miracles, and didn't even want to have a look. At gaspard monge's insistence, officials finally reviewed his plan and found that it was correct and could bring great convenience to engineering design.
This immediately made descriptive geometry a military secret and made gaspard monge a professor of mathematics, but he had to swear not to reveal it.
Twenty-six years later, gaspard monge had the opportunity to openly teach descriptive geometry in a Parisian school. There was a great mathematician Lagrange in the audience at that time. He asserted: "By applying analysis to geometry, this energetic man will make himself immortal."
However, what greeted gaspard monge was not "immortality" but "unbearable". While he was busy making cannons and gunpowder for the National Assembly, the doorman of his own residence reported him. In the chaotic revolutionary situation, gaspard monge fled in a hurry.
He finally grasped Napoleon's outstretched hand of gratitude. Gaspard monge was sent to Italy to select paintings, sculptures and other works of art that Italians "donated" to Napoleon as compensation for defeat.
However, gaspard monge found that the works of art on the ship can be used to decorate seven Louvre museums. He suggested to Napoleon that "enough is enough". Although this somewhat damaged Napoleon's interest, he finally took note of gaspard monge's suggestion and began to regard him as a confidant.
It was this confidant who did not give Napoleon face when he was arrogant.
1804, when Napoleon was crowned emperor, the students of gaspard monge's Paris Polytechnic School rose up against the monarchy.
Napoleon asked gaspard monge, "Well, almost all your students betrayed me!"
Gaspard monge replied: "Your Majesty, please forgive me, you have changed so suddenly!" As a principal, gaspard monge instinctively defended the students who supported * * * and the regime.
And more than 20 years ago, when he was an examiner for the qualification of midshipman, gaspard monge ruthlessly disqualified some noble children because they were incompetent. This made some nobles dissatisfied. They threatened to severely punish gaspard monge, while gaspard monge was tit for tat: "If you don't like my way of doing things, please find someone else."
The nobles finally succumbed to gaspard monge's insistence on principle. This time, it was the newly enthroned Emperor Napoleon who gave in. The emperor and his friends didn't turn against each other because of this argument. On the contrary, in recognition of gaspard monge's achievements, Napoleon made him an earl.
But it is obviously not as simple as chivalry to measure gaspard monge's contribution.
1798, under the strong appeal of students, the secrecy order was cancelled and descriptive geometry was published. Soon, this book appeared in English, German, Russian, Japanese and other languages, which played an important role in promoting the industrial development of various countries. Later generations once commented: "Without gaspard monge's geometry, it may be impossible to have the mass production of19th century machines."
Even Gauss, the prince of mathematics, praised gaspard monge's descriptive geometry as "the true geometric spirit" and "the tonic of wisdom". He suggested that the Germans study it carefully.
However, in France, after Napoleon's defeat, he fantasized about finding a companion to roam America and study all the strange geophysical phenomena that have not been determined by the scientific community. Gaspard monge, 67, volunteered, but Napoleon rudely refused-"You are too old, I want to find a young one!"
The restored Bourbon dynasty deprived the old man of everything. They expelled gaspard monge from the Academy of Sciences. In order to save his head, he had to hide from one slum to another, and finally he died sadly.
However, at the Paris Institute of Technology, this person who has served as the principal for many years is still the idol of young students. The king forbade students to attend gaspard monge's funeral. But the next day, the man who was finally abandoned by the emperor's friends was finally deeply missed by his students-all the students went to the cemetery and presented wreaths to their teachers.