[DontTreadOnMe2009]

Many of their other “inventions” and “discoveries” were basically extrapolations of prior work of the Greek, Hindus and Persians, and others, from manuscripts that ended up in their hands after Europe purged their versions during the Dark Ages.

Gee, to hear Obama tell it, the Muslims have invented about nearly everything in the world that you can think of, right?

Remember his speech in Cairo? Remember the long list of Muslim inventions? Nearly every one of those seemed spurious and laughable to me because in my reading of history I don’t recall any Muslim inventions at all. I have heard over and over that they invented algebra, but I think that was taken from the Greeks — am I correct?

And now, we need to help the Muslims with their rocket technology — that is to say, we need to help them learn how to shoot rockets that land on top of our heads instead of just using jumbo jets next time — is my interpretation correct?

[James C. Bennett]

Very much so!

[Paladin2]

"they invented algebra"

Probably just gave it a catchy name. Just like Al Cohol.

[aruanan]

Many of their other “inventions” and “discoveries” were basically extrapolations of prior work of the Greek, Hindus and Persians, and others, from manuscripts that ended up in their hands after Europe purged their versions during the Dark Ages.

That makes it sound as though there was a transfer of manuscripts from Europe to the Muslims during the Dark Ages; rather, what was lost to Europe during that time remained in the hands of the conquerers of those Middle Eastern (and other) societies.