Scalar manifolds and Jordan pairs in supergravity

It is shown how the concept of a Jordan pair, which generalizes that of Jordan algebra and links Jordan algebras to Lie algebras, enters a model for supergravity-studied recently by Günaydin, Sierra, and Townsend, called magical supergravity. This model is very briefly reviewed, as are the reasons that led, starting from the theory of Jordan algebras, to the definition and development of Jordan pairs. Examples of Jordan pairs are given, which show the beauty, simplicity, and usefulness of such objects.