The Hilbert curve is a continuous fractal space-filling curve that maps a one-dimensional line onto a two-dimensional square. It was first described by the mathematician David Hilbert in 1891. The curve is constructed recursively, meaning each iteration creates a more complex version of the curve, filling the space more completely. This curve has interesting properties, such as preserving locality, which means that points that are close together in one dimension remain close in two dimensions. The Hilbert curve is used in various fields, including computer graphics, data visualization, and optimizing spatial data storage.