although noether's theorem had a significant effect upon classical and quantum mechanics, among mathematicians she is best remembered for her contributions to abstract algebra. in his introduction to noether's "collected papers", nathan jacobson wrote thatthe development of abstract algebra, which is one of the most distinctive innovations of twentieth century mathematics, is largely due to her – in published papers, in lectures, and in personal influence on her contemporaries. she sometimes allowed her colleagues and students to receive credit for her ideas, helping them develop their careers at the expense of her own.