The Remarkable Story Behind The Most Important Algorithm Of All Time

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I can't believe how intelligent Gauss was, it's just incredible

I really can't overstate how appreciative I am of these science history videos. It's easy in the STEM fields to forget the history soaked into the ideas we take for granted every day. I would like if Math classes gave a little glimpse into this - especially in primary schools. Maybe more kids would appreciate the importance of math and "when we would ever need this in real life".

imagine discovering the FFT and not bothering to publish it. legend

I wish I had this when i was in college studying DSP. Had no idea back then where and why this was used and we were only cramming the theory for the exams. This is probably one of the best visualisations of FFTs that I've come across. So simple to understand such a complex topic. This will help students of the subject understand the theory so much better when its real world application is known and its impact.

Gauss discovering FFT even before Fourier published transforms is the most chad moment in history

I am a sound engineer, I work a lot with DSP. Knowing the background story of the FFT, and having it explained so smoothly leaves me speechless, you did another masterpiece. Thank you!

I am an electronics and communication student studying digital signal processing. it was the best FFT explanation I ever came across . This is probably one of the best visualisations of FFTs that I've come across

Another phenomenal video. As a teacher, your ability to convey this super-high-level information is impressive and encouraging.

I currently study signal processing at university and without this video I could've never imagined that the fourier transform was such a big deal. It's really sad how colleges don't take time to explain the importance of the taught topics before starting to lecture students on them. Thank you very much for making me see the big picture and realize how important are my current classes. This is the best kind of motivation to keep going.

I studied Electrical & Computer Engineering. Needless to say Fourier Transform was our bread and butter. It is such a pity that usually the historical context is missing in the educational process. It helps so much put things into perspective and get a sense of the purpose and the significance of what you are being taught. I know so many students that are getting discouraged and disappointed just because the educational process only involves sterile mathematics brutally being thrown into your face without any context whatsoever.

I study neuroimaging with MEG, and for signal processing, FFTs are very critical. I came across your video by chance and it was a supreme way of visualizing it! Kudos to you sir! The best explanation of the FFT for sure!

I used the FFT in graduate work in 1974. We collected 1000data points from an average evoked potential from the spinal cord of a cat. The work was aimed at detecting injuries at different levels of the spinal cord using statistical (stepwise discriminant) analysis. We didn't have enough cats. If I remember correctly, the transform I used took less than a minute for 1000 data points from a 300 msec signal.

As a 66yo electrical engineer... it took me the last 20 years to finally understand the FFT as well as you've described it here. I recently realized that unfortunately the colleges do a horrible job teaching this subject... and I agree that it's one of the most important topics of math for anyone going into physics or engineering. I put together a radar 2D imager (ISAR) but using acoustics to keep the cost down. For the last 2 years I've been trying to get my local high schools interested in starting an after school geek club to teach kids basic signal processing using this acoustic imaging application. So far... no one is willing to even talk to me. It's too bad. Maybe your video will help. I really think that with the right application (acoustic imaging) this subject can be taught to 11th and 12th graders (multiplying sinusoids is really all you need to understand). This would prepare high schoolers beautifully for college science/engineering.

During my Electronics Engineering course, we used to call it "Four-Year Transformation" as this was one algorithm that would stay with you for the entire four years and all signal processing calculations would need them (along with Laplace Transform)

@Veritasium , fun fact. The footage at 2:22 was actually a ploy to scare enemies into the power of our bombs. This was discussed on the JRE. The single thing said to convey it was faked was “what about the camera?”

As a Electrical Engineering student who has taken digital signal processing, this is a beautiful high level understanding of fft. Love your videos man!

Scrolling through the comments I realize that my feelings toward this video as someone who is currently a graduate student in Electrical Engineering is not unique at all. It's amazing what great animation and very well articulated and easy to understand words can do when trying to understand a complicated subject. I've taken probably 6 or so courses at least that use the Fourier Transform, along with classes that utilize the FFT, and never once fully understood what the hell I was really doing and why it worked. Thank you very much Veritasium, this has genuinely helped my understanding of FTs 5 years deep into my college education lol.

I love how you include all the historical context in your videos. It makes the already awesome explanation of an interesting topic that much better. Kudos.

These newer half an hour documentaries you are doing are just amazing!!!! What a high level of production for the rest of this platform to strive for!