George Polya

George Pólya (1887–1985) was a Hungarian mathematician and teacher whose influence reshaped how the world learns problem-solving. Best known for his book How to Solve It (1945), Pólya turned mathematical reasoning into a practical method that anyone could follow. His simple, four-step process—understand the problem, make a plan, carry out the plan, and reflect—became a cornerstone of logical thinking and education.

Pólya believed that learning happens best through experimentation, reflection, and teaching others, not memorization. His ideas helped lay the foundation for today’s STEM education, design thinking, and AI problem-solving methods. Every time students explore patterns, test hypotheses, or collaborate to find solutions, they’re using principles Pólya first articulated nearly a century ago.

Polya and Einstein shared time at ETH Zurich where they came to respect each other's work and connected over math and physics.