13. Celebrating the Father of Theoretical Computer Science, Alan Turing (June 23rd)
One of the most brilliant minds in human history is British Mathematician Alan Turing. That is why they have a day to celebrate his life and achievements. He was an early 1900 computer scientist, logician, philosopher, theoretical biologist, and code breaker. Turing is one of the most influential people developing theoretical computer science. This science is responsible for giving us a base of concepts of algorithm and computing using the Turing Machine. This machine is the first model of a general-purpose computer. People also know him as the father of artificial intelligence. Why? Because he discovered the computation theory. It suggests that a machine using symbols as simple as “0” and “1” can simulate a conceivable act of mathematical deduction.
While he was a fellow at King’s College in Cambridge, he published proof that some mathematical yes or no questions can’t be answered by just using computation. Doing so defined what later became the Turing machine. After obtaining his Ph.D. from the Department of Mathematics at Princeton University, he went on to work for the Government Code and Cypher School during World War II. He even led the section responsible for German naval cryptoanalysis, where he devised several techniques that made code-breaking faster. His extensive legacy and story are so fascinating that it was made into “The Imitation Game” movie starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Let’s celebrate Alan Turing on June 23rd.