Non-Euclidean Geometry Challenges Traditional Notions of Space

Euclidean geometry, based on the work of mathematician Euclide of Alexandria, has been the prevailing mathematical model for understanding space for over 2,000 years. This geometry assumes a flat, two- or three-dimensional space and relies on axioms that seemed intuitively true. However, in the 19th century, mathematicians like Bernard Brevonne began questioning these assumptions and explored non-Euclidean geometries. These non-Euclidean geometries allowed for curved spaces, such as a sphere, where the angles of a triangle added up to more than 180 degrees. This new understanding of geometry laid the foundation for Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity, which revolutionized our understanding of space and gravity.