Niccolò Tartaglia was an Italian mathematician and engineer born in 1499 in Brescia. He is best known for his work in algebra and for introducing the solution to cubic equations. Tartaglia's contributions to mathematics were significant during the Renaissance, a period marked by a revival of learning and knowledge. Tartaglia also played a crucial role in the development of ballistics and hydraulics. He published several works, including "General Trattato di Numeri et Misure," which helped spread mathematical knowledge. His rivalry with Gerolamo Cardano over the solutions to cubic equations is a notable part of his legacy.