Jean Kuntzmann: a short biography
The
laboratory is named after Prof. Jean Kuntzmann (1912-1992), who established Grenoble as a centre for excellence in computational science by creating both the first French research laboratory dedicated to scientific computation and the first French degree course for mathematical engineers here in 1951. The latter grew rapidly to become the ENSIMAG in 1957. Building on his classical training, including leading the Ecole Normale's
Aggregation in Mathematics in 1934, Kuntzmann rapidly came to view algebra and analysis as indissociable with the development of automatic computation and with openness to applications in industry and elsewhere. A pioneer of applied mathematics, he instigated the first programming course in Grenoble in 1956. In the same year, his Laboratoire de Calcul obtained an early Bull computer. The triad of mathematics, computer science and scientific computation also underlay his own research, which ranged from numerical analysis to Boolean algebra. By dedicating itself to scientific computation and its applications, the LJK is proud to continue the strong tradition of applied mathematics and computer science established by Jean Kuntzmann.
