Introduction to the Theory and Applications of Functional Differential Equations

At the beginning of this century Emil Picard wrote: "Les equations differentielles de la mecanique classique sont telles qu 'il en resulte que le mouvement est determine par la simple connaissance des positions et des vitesses, c 'est-a-dire par l 'etat a un instant donne et a ['instant infiniment voison. Les etats anterieurs n'y intervenant pas, l'heredite y est un vain mot. L 'application de ces equations ou le passe ne se distingue pas de l 'avenir, ou les mouvements sont de nature reversible, sont done inapplicables aux etres vivants". "Nous pouvons rever d'equations fonctionnelles plus compliquees que les equations classiques parce qu 'elles renfermeront en outre des integrates prises entre un temps passe tres eloigne et le temps actuel, qui apporteront la part de l'heredite". (See "La mathematique dans ses rapports avec la physique, Actes du rv¿ congres international des Mathematiciens, Rome, 1908. ) Many years have passed since this publication. These years have seen substantial progress in many aspects of Functional Differential Equations (FDEs ). A distinguishing feature of the FDEs under consideration is that the evolution rate of the proc{lsses described by such equations depends on the past history. The discipline of FDEs has grown tremendously, and publication of literature has increased perhaps twofold over publication in the previous decade. Several new scientific journals have been introduced to absorb this increased productivity. These journals reflect the broadening interests of scientists, with ever greater attention being paid to applications.