Fibonacci numbers and patterns in Cactus and Succulents ... 1/7

Fibonacci the person and some history ... who?

Skip the history lesson! or more on him from wikipedia

Fibonacci was born in the city (or at that time - the state) of Pisa, around 1170 AD - the exact Date of Birth is unknown.
In the 12th century, Europe from emerging from the "Dark Ages", improved techniques in farming led to increased food production and hence an ability for the population to increase, as well as trading of excesses. Contacts with eastern civilisations were being made by crusaders, traders and merchants.
Many cities in Italy were independent republics surrounded by high walls due to the struggle between the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire. They had substantial trading enterprises and some became centres of higher learning with universities.
Into this republic or state of Pisa, Fibonacci was born

His Father, a state official associated with the new mercantile class that had emerged from the commercial revolution, represented the mercents of Pisa at the port of Bugia, now called Bejaia (in Algeria), so Fibonacci was educated in North Africa by the Moors.
He also traveled widely to Egypt, Syria, Greece, Sicily, as well as other parts of Africa.
During this time period Europeans used the Roman Numerical system of numbering ( I , II , III , IV , V ... X etc) as seen today at the end of many films! (MCMXCV = 1995).

Fibonacci educated in North Africa was introduced to the Hindu-Arabic system of numbering (1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9) which along with the symbol of 0 (zero), meant any number could be written easily.

In 1200 Fibonacci (aka Leonardo of Pisa, Filli Bonacci (son of Bonacci) or Leonard Bigollo (Bigollo means literally "Good for nothing traveler")) ended his travels and returned to Pisa, where in 1202 he wrote his first book, about the Hindu-Arabic decimal system and introduced the use of Arabic numbers into Europe as used by us today.

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