Who was Wilhelm Launhardt and why is he important to mathematical economics? This paper explores the contributions of Wilhelm Launhardt (1832‐1918), a founder of mathematical economics, highlighting his unique perspective as an engineer. Launhardt, whose main work was translated into English in 1993, approached economics with a mathematical rigor, drawing inspiration from the agricultural engineer von Thünen. His work touches on railway issues from a locational point of view. Focusing on **economics**, the paper showcases Launhardt’s independent development of location theory and his contributions to the mathematical treatment of economics, labor economics, monetary economics, and technology economics. He referenced the economists Sax, Walras and Jevons to build his understanding of the field. Hence, it is the purpose of this paper to show how Launhardt used mathematics in his engineering‐based approach to the economics of location and technology. By showcasing Launhardt's work, the paper sheds light on the interdisciplinary nature of economics and the value of incorporating insights from engineering and other fields. Future research could delve deeper into Launhardt's impact on specific areas of economics and his relevance to contemporary economic challenges.
Published in the _Journal of Economic Studies_, this paper aligns with the journal's interest in exploring diverse perspectives on economic theory and analysis. By focusing on an engineer's contributions to economics, the study contributes to the journal's broader exploration of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding economic phenomena.