Chern classes are mathematical invariants associated with vector bundles, particularly in the field of differential geometry. They provide a way to measure the curvature and topological properties of these bundles, which can be thought of as collections of vectors attached to each point of a manifold. Chern classes help in understanding how these bundles behave under various transformations. These classes are named after the mathematician Shiing-Shen Chern, who developed the theory in the mid-20th century. Chern classes play a crucial role in many areas of mathematics, including algebraic geometry, topology, and theory of characteristic classes, helping to classify and distinguish different vector bundles.