The growth of mathematical knowledge-Introduction of convex bodies

► Mathematical objects are first intrduced with reference to previously existing objects. ► The new object is sometimes places in a different context than the object it is introduced with reference to. ► This picture fits both the introduction of Riemann surfaces and convex bodies by Minkowski. ► We note that it can be fruitful to consider a mathematical problem in a new context, but that not all correspondences between contexts lead to success.