While Andrew Wiles’s inventive proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem is a monumental achievement, it is important to recognize that his breakthrough was not produced in isolation. Wiles built upon a long lineage of mathematical progress, relying on ideas, techniques, and theories refined over centuries by many thinkers. This cumulative progress highlights that mathematics is a communal endeavor where incremental contributions and shared insights collectively pave the way to profound discoveries. In emphasizing the network of influences rather than a single “genius,” we gain a richer understanding of how knowledge evolves through collaboration and persistence across generations.