The evolution of the journal L’Enseignement Mathématique from its initial aims to new trends

Abstract The journal L’Enseignement Mathématique was born as a journal dedicated to mathematics teaching. Its main goals were promoting communication among people who teach mathematics and sharing information on the mathematical instruction in different countries. The spirit of the journal provided the right atmosphere for conceiving the idea of a commission that would study the problems of mathematical instruction at an international level. Such a commission, which may be considered the first incarnation of ICMI (International Commission on Mathematical Instruction), was founded during the fourth International Congress of Mathematicians (Rome, 1908). L’Enseignement Mathématique was appointed as its official organ. After WW1, this initial impetus weakened. Additionally, social changes left the journal out of line with the expectations of the world of mathematical instruction. In this paper I outline some key aspects of the evolution of the journal.