Meaning: The quote "Out of nothing I have created a strange new universe" is attributed to the mathematician János Bolyai. It reflects the groundbreaking nature of Bolyai's work in the field of non-Euclidean geometry, which revolutionized the way mathematicians and scientists understood the nature of space and geometry.

János Bolyai was a Hungarian mathematician who lived in the early 19th century. He is best known for his work on non-Euclidean geometry, a branch of mathematics that deals with geometrical systems that do not satisfy the postulates of Euclidean geometry. Euclidean geometry, based on the work of the ancient Greek mathematician Euclid, had been the prevailing mathematical framework for understanding space and geometry for over two thousand years. However, Bolyai's work challenged and ultimately expanded this traditional understanding.

In the early 19th century, Bolyai independently developed a new system of geometry that was not based on Euclid's postulates. This system, now known as hyperbolic geometry, allowed for the existence of multiple parallel lines through a single point and demonstrated that the sum of the angles of a triangle is less than 180 degrees. These concepts were radically different from the principles of Euclidean geometry, and they represented a significant departure from the established mathematical conventions of the time.

When Bolyai stated, "Out of nothing I have created a strange new universe," he was expressing the profound impact of his work on non-Euclidean geometry. By challenging the long-held assumptions of Euclidean geometry, Bolyai effectively created a new mathematical universe—a universe in which the rules and principles of space and geometry were fundamentally different from those that had been accepted for centuries.

Bolyai's work on non-Euclidean geometry laid the foundation for the later development of the theory of relativity by Albert Einstein. Einstein's theory, which revolutionized our understanding of space and time, relied on non-Euclidean geometrical concepts similar to those proposed by Bolyai. Thus, Bolyai's "strange new universe" had a far-reaching impact on the field of physics as well as mathematics.

In the context of his quote, it's important to note that Bolyai's creation of a "strange new universe" was not a literal act of creation, but rather a metaphorical expression of the revolutionary nature of his mathematical discoveries. By challenging the established norms and creating a new framework for understanding space and geometry, Bolyai effectively reshaped the mathematical and scientific landscape of his time and beyond.

In conclusion, János Bolyai's quote "Out of nothing I have created a strange new universe" encapsulates the revolutionary impact of his work on non-Euclidean geometry. By challenging the traditional principles of Euclidean geometry and creating a new mathematical framework, Bolyai fundamentally changed the way mathematicians and scientists approached the study of space and geometry. His contributions continue to inspire and influence the fields of mathematics and physics to this day.