Configurations of points and lines

Abstract

A vigorous study of geometric configurations started in the 1870's but was essentially abandoned early in the twentieth century. New approaches found during the last two decades prompted a renewed interest in the topic, heightened by the discovery that many of the results of early investigations were invalid as stated and as understood by their authors. An account of the historical development is presented here, together with a detailed description of the recent results in the study of geometric configurations.