Approximation in normed linear spaces

A historical account is given of the development of methods for solving approximation problems set in normed linear spaces. Approximation of both real functions and real data is considered, with particular reference to Lp (or lp) and Chebyshev norms. As well as coverage of methods for the usual linear problems, an account is given of the development of methods for approximation by functions which are nonlinear in the free parameters, and special attention is paid to some particular nonlinear approximating families.