Uncover the hidden world of Alan Turing, the brilliant mind behind modern computing, in this fascinating discovery of 148 letters and correspondences found at the University of Manchester. Delve into Turing's groundbreaking research, visionary ideas in Artificial Intelligence, and his tragic end, all revealed in this newly unearthed archive. Explore the legacy of the pioneering mathematician and computer scientist whose work revolutionized the world we live in today. Join us on a journey through history with Alan Turing, a true icon of innovation and intellect.
Category
📚
AprendizajeTranscripción
00:00In an astonishing discovery, a trove of 148 letters and correspondences from the renowned
00:11British mathematician and pioneering computer scientist, Alan Turing, has been unearthed
00:16in an old filing cabinet at the University of Manchester.
00:21These documents, spanning from early 1949 until Turing's untimely death in June 1954,
00:28were stumbled upon in May 2017 by Professor Jim Miles, the School of Computer Science's
00:34history coordinator.
00:36"'When I first came across the collection, I couldn't believe it.
00:41I thought, this can't be what I think it is, but a quick glance confirmed it was indeed
00:46an archive of Alan Turing's letters and correspondences,' Miles recounted.
00:52The existence of these documents had been unknown to anyone currently affiliated with
00:56the school or the university.
01:00Following their discovery, the letters were meticulously sorted, catalogued, and securely
01:05stored in the university library, where they are now accessible to researchers.
01:11The correspondence primarily delves into Turing's groundbreaking research and his visionary
01:15ideas in fields such as artificial intelligence, computer science, and mathematics.
01:23Among the highlights is a letter containing a draft for a BBC radio program on artificial
01:27intelligence.
01:29Interestingly, the collection offers scant insight into Turing's personal life, with
01:34few personal opinions interspersed throughout.
01:38One notable exception is his response to an invitation to lecture in the United States
01:42in April 1953, where he candidly expressed,
01:46"'I would not like the trip and I hate America,' Professor Miles noted.
01:52There is very little personal correspondence, and there are no letters from Turing's family."
01:56Nonetheless, this archive provides a fascinating glimpse into his work habits and academic
02:03life during his tenure at Manchester.
02:06Alan Turing's life met a tragic end while he was still employed at the University of
02:10Manchester.
02:13On June 8, 1954, he was found dead in his laboratory, having ingested an apple laced
02:19with potassium cyanide, a method eerily reminiscent of the poisoned apple in his favorite film,
02:26Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
02:29Turing's legacy is monumental.
02:32He conceptualized the universal machine, a theoretical device capable of performing any
02:37mathematical operation, thus laying the groundwork for modern computing through the concept of
02:42algorithms.
02:44His code-breaking prowess during World War II, particularly his role in deciphering the
02:49Nazi Enigma code, significantly contributed to the Allied victory and saved countless
02:55lives.
02:57This newly discovered collection of letters not only enriches our understanding of Turing's
03:01professional endeavors but also cements his status as a pivotal figure in the history
03:06of computer science and beyond.