Grassmann and His Contributions to Electromagnetics [Historical Corner]

The main aim of this essay is to revisit and to remind the reader of the direct and indirect contributions of Hermann Gunther Grassmann to electromagnetics. Being ahead of his time, Grassmann did not have a chance to see that his mathematical ideas and studies were accepted and acclaimed. Acceptance and reception of his publications in applied sciences took more than a century. In this essay, we will try to revisit three major contributions of this genius scientist: his exterior algebra leading to the differential forms, his force law, and his law of optics.