I think what the original author meant by "centers" of addition and multiplication is closer to "empty sum" and "empty product" respectively. From what they wro

I think what the original author meant by "centers" of addition and multiplication is closer to "empty sum" and "empty product" respectively. From what they wrote, it seems that they wanted more than just neutrality. In any case I don't think we should retroactively label their novel and necessarily unique concept with a familiar name.