Unless you use mathematics regularly, who remembers much from Algebra II? Who can recall the opening scene of the second act of Othello? (Hint: it's at a Cyprus seaport, and if you think I actually remembered that without help from Dr. Google, I have a seaport in Nebraska I'd love to sell you.) So, we're to be forgiven, I contend, for perhaps not being clear on just how we got to where we are, or who is to be credited and blamed for the same.