COMM 3353 Information, Internet, and the World Wide Web M,W,F 1:00PM to 2:00PM 239 COM Shawn W. McCombs

Origins of Computing: The “Turing Box” The First computers Modern computers –The WIntel Box –The Mac Where did it all come from? Turing Machine –Alan Turing The Father of Computer Science British Intelligence Created First electronic “Computer”

Origins of Computing: The “Turing Box”/Cont./ Alan Turing –Analysis of the man Not a man of material. –Used a piece of rope as a belt. Placed little importance upon wealth or social class. –Although, by birthright, was a member of the upper class. He lived for scientific study and the search for truths. –From early youth, had a great understanding for science. –But.. Lethargic and lacked motivation because elementary education (although considered exceptional by most) was largely unchallenging to Turing. –Fixed everything Stopwatch and jogging

Origins of Computing: The “Turing Box”/Cont./ Alan Turing, Continued... –The Driving Force 1930: Became obsessed with Death of childhood friend Christopher Morcum and became underlying motivation for all his future study. 1933: studied mathematical based reasoning, general analysis, quantum physics, logic (Cambridge). 1935: hypothesized about a method or process by which all mathematical questions could be decided or solved Invented the “Definite Method” –Methodical Process focusing on the idea of something done mechanically based on a theoritical machine able to perform certain precisely defined operations on paper tape.

Origins of Computing: The “Turing Box”/Cont./ –Developed this hypothesis in response to Hilbert’s Idea of Decidability. (one method for all q’s) Proved Hilbert wrong and created his own “Definite Method” Definition –1936 Turing’s discovery stolen by would-be fame seeker Alonzo Church –Church’s Theory, however, didn’t include procedural operations in the physical world (relied too heavily on math) In other words, empirical supporting data

Origins of Computing: The “Turing Box”/Cont./ The Turing Machine /Cont./ –Turing then worked in isolation to enhance he and Church’s earlier discoveries. Result: Turing made a bridge between the logical and physical worlds, thought and action, which crossed conventional boundries. –His work introduced concept of Turing Machine Idea Infinite number of “Turing Machines” each based on its own algorithm or instructions

Origins of Computing: The “Turing Box”/Cont./ The Turing Machine /Cont./ –The Universal Turing Machine embodies essential principals of the computer. Single machine which can be turned to any well defined task by being supplied with the appropriate program or set of instructions

Origins of Computing: The “Turing Box”/Cont./ The Turing Machine /Cont./ –Computers in the modern sense did not exist in Modern being the kinds of electronic technology we see today. –Created first “Electronic Computer” or Turing Machine to cipher or decode messages (Bombe). True to the “Universal” Turing Machine Concept Machine would decode German war messages (Enigma).

Origins of Computing: The “Turing Box”/Cont./ The Turing Machine /Cont./ –Hired by British Intelligence –Would eventually lead to mysterious demise Wartime Encryption Center Bombe vs. German Enigma –Enigma Cipher Machine its was the original name The return to Manchester University –Trouble on the home front Homosexual relationship Jail vs. oestrogen shots

The Turing Machine /Cont./ –Suffered a great deal of ridicule from peers –Intense period of depression followed –Became an embarrassment to the British Gvt. –1954: died of cyanide poisioning Apple (half eaten beside his bed) Suicide? –Mysterious

Alan Turing: Creator of the Computer Alan Turing –Father of Computer Science –Developed the Definite Method principle –Major contributor in WW2 Intelligence –Persecuted for his Sexuality –Killed by his Government

Alan Turing: Creator of the Computer –A Genius –Major Contributor to modern science. And all because of a fascination with death and mind over matter.

Alan Turing: Creator of the Computer End Turing Presentation I.