Our computers today are really just systems of Turing Machines. Turing’s invention is not only the foundation of modern computer science, but computers themselves. On June 7, 1954, Turing was found dead in his home after eating an apple laced with cyanide, which has largely been considered suicide.īeyond creating a machine to crack Nazi codes, Turing created the Universal Machine (also known as the Turing Machine) in 1936 - without which I would not have a computer on which to write this, and you would not have a device on which to read this. He remained committed to his work until being deemed a “security risk” prevented him from continuing on government projects. He was unapologetically himself, and added that “ he thought that this shouldn’t be against the law.” Ultimately, he was given a choice between imprisonment and chemical castration, and chose the latter (chemical castration is a hormonal therapy intended to reduce sexual drive, used in some countries today to punish repeat rapists and pedophiles). In 1952 after reporting a burglary (committed by an acquaintance of his lover’s), Turing was charged with “gross indecency.” He refused to refute the accusations (of homosexuality) made against him during his prosecution. His notions and work form the basis of today’s computer science, cognitive science, and ideas about artificial intelligence.Īlan Turing-a pioneer of modern computing-died #onthisday 1954 /4ZNr8ZFwt6ĭespite the risks of being a gay man in an era when homosexuality was criminalized, Turing was open with his sexuality among friends and family. Who was he?Īlan Turing was a British mathematician, often called the father of modern computer science. The vast majority of us still rely on his other seminal contributions, everyday. Turing was the subject of the Oscar-winning film The Imitation Game, about his time deciphering Nazi codes during World War II, but his legacy and work have had an impact that extends far beyond his wartime efforts - and given that his work during the war helped save over 14 million people, that’s pretty astounding. If you are reading this on some kind of computer device - which you most likely are - take a moment to thank Alan Turing, who died on this day 62 years ago.
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