Newton QCCQ

Quote:

"In 1696 Newton left Cambridge for London to become Warden (and soon Master) of the Mint, and during the remainder of his long life he entered a little into society and even began to enjoy his unique position at the pinnacle of scientific fame. These changes in his interest and surroundings did not reflect any decrease in his unrivaled intellectual powers. For example, late one afternoon, at the end of a hard day at the Mint, he learned of a now-famous problem that the Swiss scientist John Bernoulli had posed as a challenge "to the most acute mathematicians of the entire world." The problem can be stated as follows: Suppose two nails are driven at random into a wall, and let the upper nail be connected to the lower bu a wire in the shape of a smooth curve. What is the shape of the wire down which a bead will slide (without friction) under the influence of gravity so as to pass from the upper nail to the lower nail in the least possible time? This is Bernoulli's brachistochrone ("shortest time") problem. Newton recognized it at once as a challenge to himself from the Continental mathematicians; and in spite of being out of the habit of scientific thought, he summoned his resources and solved it that evening before going to bed. His solution was published anonymously and when Bernoulli saw it, he wryly remarked, "I recognize the lion by his print.""

Comment:

This quote made me smile, unlike the rest of the text, and so I thought it deserved to be recognized for that reason. Two things about this quote I found to be cool and describe Bernoulli and Newton very well. The first being that although Bernoulli made this problem as a challenge "to the most acute mathematicians of the entire world", Newton solved it after a rough day right before going to sleep. One might compare this to something as simple as having a snack before going to bed. The second being that although Newton posted the work anonymously, Bernoulli immediately knew that it was Newton who solved the problem.

Connection:

 I would not say that I have nearly the equivalent intellectual ability as Newton or Bernoulli, so I don't exactly have much of a personal connection to this quote. I do however, hope that one day I will be creative, innovative, and smart enough to have a personal connection to a story such as this one.

Question:

How is it that Bernoulli knew immediately that Newton was the one who turned in the answer. That seems like it takes some serious detective work.