Wallis's Infinity -- the lemniscate -- Savilian chair of Geometry, Oxford.

Speranza

 

 

The infinity symbol (sometimes called the lemniscate) is a mathematical symbol representing the concept of infinity.

The symbol was introduced in 1655 by John Wallis, and, since its introduction, has also been used outside mathematics in modern mysticism and literary symbology.


Wallis joined the moderate Presbyterians in signing the remonstrance against the execution of Charles I, by which he incurred the lasting hostility of the Independents.

 In spite of their opposition he was appointed in 1649 to be the Savilian Chair of Geometry at Oxford University, where he lived until his death on 28 October 1703.


He is credited with introducing the symbol for infinity.

He similarly used for an infinitesimal.