“when you first realize how elegant it is broken in to 3 4 5 it makes sense”
Exactly what I was thinking. Some land owner noticed that 3 4 5 worked. Them some mathematician figured out why, and applied it to other problems. Today we know a lot more, but it doesn’t mean we are smarter. It means we are building on the knowledge of the smartest people, both past and present.
Back in college I took a summer surveying course (40 years ago now). Our first project was to survey out the pretend footing of a small “L” shaped home using the transit and steel chains (probably made in the early 1950’s).
After turning the angles and measuring I figured we should check our work and I measured the various diagonals and calculating and such. In the process of doing so the professor came over.
“What are you doing!? You’re supposed to use your transit!”
“Oh - we did. Now I’m just checking the work.”
“Who told you to do this!!??”
“Um - nobody.”
“Well where the hell did you come up with this idea!!??”
“Oh - I used to help my dad build decks and patios and such - and this is how we would check our work.”
“What’s your name? What the hell group number is this!!??”
After giving him the information I asked why was that wrong and why would we be in trouble?
“Nope nothing wrong. But that is how we grade your work - so you guys get an A and saved me the trouble. And I’ve got my eye on you!”