On the origins of David Hilbert's ''Grundlagen der Geometrie'' (Q1078547)

Basing himself primarily on manuscript material (especially four university courses held by Hilbert from summer term 1891 to winter term 1898), the author shows how Hilbert, parting at first from a very conventional position, came about step by step to develop his Foundations of Geometry with their characteristic shape that made them the key-work of modern axiomatics. The paper is a synopsis of the author's doctoral dissertation, so only the main results are shortly depicted. Who wants to learn the whole exciting story should read at any rate the full German version (just appeared, Dec. 86) (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck \& Ruprecht (1986; Zbl 0602.01013)).