Alan Turing — the father of modern computing
Smart phones, laptops, tablets are an essential part of modern life. We send tons of e-mails, record funny videos of our pets or share memes at social media, but do any of us know how all modern gadgets were invented and who was that genius to whom we should be thankful for having such an amazing thing as computer? Well, that genius is Alan Turing, an English computer scientist, mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst and theoretical biologist.
Alan Turing is truly considered to be the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence. Having showed burning interest to mathematics and cryptology at early age, Alan was always passionate with an idea to build a «universal computing machine». In 1936 at the age of 24 he proved that his machine would be capable of performing any mathematical computation.
Now it is known as a “Turing machine” and considered to be the prototype of a modern general purpose computer.
Though Alan Turing wasn’t well-known during his lifetime, today he is famous for playing a pivotal role in cracking the Enigma codes that contributed to the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
Being the lead code-breaker in a team at Bletchley Park, out-thinking existing approaches to decoding and improving the Polish decryption device Bomba, Alan Turing built a new machine “Bombe” (he called it “Christopher”) which cracked the Enigma’s ciphers. Later historians have estimated that this work shortened the war in Europe by more than two years and saved over fourteen million lives.
It is sad to say that the scientist died at his early forties because of physical and mental deterioration caused by chemical castration to which he was sentenced after he’s been prosecuted for homosexual acts in 1952. Who knows how many more great inventions he could have made if people had were more tolerant to this sexual proclivity?
I first familiarized myself with Alan’s works with his article “Can the Machine think?” An amusing work, that even after more than fifty years of its publication, still has huge potential, raises heated discussions and his ideas require further extensive research and comprehension.
Alan Turing’s influence is overwhelming. Only think of such things as Turing’s test, Turing’s proof or Turing Award.
If you want to find out more about Alan Turing, I recommend you to watch an incredible drama called “The Imitation Game” directed by Morten Tyldum. With an excellent starring performance of Benedict Cumberbatch, who played the role of the great scientist supported by Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode and many other beautiful actors this film covers the span of Alan’s life and tells the story of his struggle. Critics praised this work and it really makes you emphasize to Benedict Cumberbatch’s character with this touching story, realistic scenery and adorable music.
So, while breaking the code of emojis your friend sent to you, take a second and think about the greatest code-breaker, Alan Turing.
This article was inspired by my essay I wrote to participate in a contest held by British Council and Lingualeo.
Thanks for reading & stay tuned.
Everything will be O.K.
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