In this episode, we profile Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716), a German polymath often cited as the "last universal genius" for his mastery across diverse fields before the era of specialized labor. We explore how this librarian, diplomat, and scholar laid the groundwork for the modern world, from mathematics to metaphysics.

Key topics include:

• The Invention of Calculus: How Leibniz developed differential and integral calculus independently of Isaac Newton, creating the notation still favored by mathematicians today,.
• The Roots of Computing: Leibniz’s invention of the binary number system (base 2), which serves as the foundation for modern digital computing and communications,. We also look at his early mechanical calculators, including the "stepped reckoner" and the  ...