Nomination Of Creative Hero: Alan Turing

Nomination of Creative Hero: Alan Turing
Team B: Teresa Pike, Gabriel Berumen,
Kara Kahler, Gary Hopson, Tammy Jager
PHL/458
April 13, 2015
Courtney Moore
Alan Turing
Alan Turing, founder of computer science, mathematician, philosopher, codebreaker, and visionary before his time (Hodges, 1995). Turing is known for developing the proof which states that automatic computation cannot solve all mathematical problems, concept also known as the Turing machine (BBC History), he played a vital role in deciphering messages encrypted by the German Enigma machine during WW II. Arguably the first person to design a digital computer, Turing found happiness in solving what others considered impossible or unbreakable. He was an eccentric and solitary man, never satisfied with what is but constantly striving to figure out what is to come.
Mathematical Thinker
Alan Turing is known for creating and designing the world’s first commercial computer (E2BN, 2008).
Alan Turing’s work could be said to have begun the digital revolution. He went on to create mathematical logic including the Enigma cipher machine which he helped the British government decipher the Nazi German communications (Hodges, 1995). According to E2BN (2008), “The fact remains that everyone who taps at a keyboard, opening a spreadsheet or a word-processing program, is working on an incarnation of a Turing machine."
Creative Mind
Alan Turing’s Enigma cipher machine has been said to have ended WWII two years earlier than projected and saved millions of lives. Even today, the Apple computer symbol have been referenced back to Alan Turing as the first commercial computer inventor. In 2013, the Queen recognized Turing’s accomplishments and stands to remember him for his efforts and contribution to saving lives in WWII.
Creative
Comparison Each of the creative thinkers the team chose individually differ in the contribution they made to society and their striking similarities. Each creative thinker; Banksy, Goodall, Fuller, Bausch, Spielberg and Stroustrup acted on their drive and desire to alter the way others see and experience the world. Stroustrup and Hopper were computer scientists and expanded on Turing’s example by guiding the world of programming to new heights. Although there are obvious differences among their environments, their creative processes seem remarkably similar. Each of our creative thinkers, much like Alan Turing, made a constant effort to learn, seek, and express answers to their undeniable creativity and desire to make a difference in the world.
Conclusion
Alan Turing’s devotion to solving the unsolvable impacted our lives in ways that were misunderstood during his time. His curiosity and determination changed the course of WWII and kick started the world of Computer Science. Most of today’s computer industry was spawned from his Turing machine, Enigma code machine, and literal works. We have seen many creative minds that compare to Turing, each leaving a legacy and impacting their fields in a special way. Creative figures in our past, present, and future are the key to continual improvement of our lifestyles.

References
BBC History, Alan Turing, Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/people/alan_turing
East of England Broadband Network. (2008). History 's Heros. Retrieved from http://historysheroes.e2bn.org/hero/achievements/91
Hodges, A. (1995). Alan Turing: The Enigma. Retrieved from http://www.turing.org.uk/scrapbook/machine.htm
Copeland, B.J. (2015). Alan Turing British Mathematcian and Logician. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/609739/Alan-Turing

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