A Reflection on Nonlinear Oscillations, Dynamical Systems, and Bifurcations of Vector Fields by J. Guckenheimer and P. J. Holmes

Abstract

In the autumn of 1983, I was just embarking on a Ph.D. in structural dynamics at the University College London (UCL) under the guidance of Professor Michael Thompson, FRS. I had spent the previous year as an exchange student at the University of Illinois and was enjoying being back in the center of London. At this time the cold war was at its height, Margaret Thatcher won reelection (thanks to the Falklands war), CDs were the latest thing, Dallas and Dynasty were the most popular shows on TV, John McEnroe ruled Wimbledon, Liverpool dominated English football, and Michael Jackson was known for his music.