Differential forms -- Cartan to De Rham (Q1057253)

The paper is devoted to the history of the theory of differential forms in the first half of the 20th century [it is a continuation of the paper Hist. Math. 8, 161--188 (1981; Zbl 0462.01010)]. The author discusses the influences which led Cartan to the definition of a differential form, talks about the Poincaré lemma and the De Rham theorem. The development of a modern definition of a differential form and the eventual absorption of the subject into more abstract contexts is also considered.