Explore the foundations and historical development of projective geometry in this comprehensive lecture. Trace the subject's origins from Pappus through Desargues and Pascal, understanding its significance as the simplest and most fundamental geometry. Discover how 19th-century geometers connected projective geometry to three-dimensional space, and learn about key concepts such as Pascal's theorem, Renaissance perspective, points at infinity, and the projective line. Gain insights into the geometry of the straightedge and its importance in mathematical history.