Matched asymptotic expansions and the numerical treatment of viscous-inviscid interaction

The paper presents a personal view on the history of viscous-inviscid interaction methods, a history closely related to the evolution of the method of matched asymptotic expansions. The main challenge in solving Prandtl's boundary-layer equations has been to overcome the singularity at a point of steady flow separation. Stewartson's triple-deck theory has inspired a solution to this challenge, and thereby it paved the way for industrial use of viscous-inviscid interaction methods.