Alan Turing died 50 years ago today - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Paul Stenning · 7th Jun 2004, 7:16 pm

As noted on another forum (123-Reseller tech support):

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/06...onours_turing/

For those who are not aware of the contribution this chap had to the very beginning of what brings us all here today, the above is a good article with links to valuable reading on his work. Not least, he's credited with the ideas that made the computer revolution a reality and playing perhaps one of the most important roles in WWII, which is still largely unrecognised even today.

BlowFish · 7th Jun 2004, 7:48 pm

Another site to look at
http://www.turing.org.uk

Darren-UK · 7th Jun 2004, 8:02 pm

Yes indeed. Various authorities on 'Station X' and the work carried out there believe that Turin's work shortened the war by at least two years and saved many thousands of lives in the process.

I've also read many accounts of Turin's death and all by and large follow the pattern of that given in the link Paul gave in his posting above. That said, some reports are much more direct; stating that gay people were thought, at that time, to be mentally ill and as such Turin created a security risk. The resulting persecution thus being the direct cause of his suicide.

One if left wondering what further scientific contributions would have been forthcoming had Turin's death not been so untimely. Maybe we would never have heard of people like Clive Sinclair

ppppenguin · 7th Jun 2004, 9:10 pm

I can recommend a biography of Turing:

Alan Turing, the Enigma. By Andrew Hodges

The original edition was in 1983. I have the 1992 paperback published by Vintage.

Paul Stenning · 7th Jun 2004, 9:46 pm

Andrew Hodges also runs the http://www.turing.org.uk website. The book is currently £6.99 at Amazon (paperback).

Stewart · 8th Jun 2004, 12:49 pm

I too would recommend the Hodges biography - by far the most detailed and fascinating I have ever read.

Stewart

plumbweiss · 22nd Nov 2006, 10:57 pm

The book was made into a film which I have on DVD, starring Derek Jacobi (as the adult) Turing tho the film follows his exploits in school as well.

Station X · 22nd Nov 2006, 11:03 pm

The play, later a film, was called "Breaking the code".

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115749/

7th Jun 2004, 7:16 pm	#1
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 9,071	Alan Turing died 50 years ago today As noted on another forum (123-Reseller tech support): http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/06...onours_turing/ For those who are not aware of the contribution this chap had to the very beginning of what brings us all here today, the above is a good article with links to valuable reading on his work. Not least, he's credited with the ideas that made the computer revolution a reality and playing perhaps one of the most important roles in WWII, which is still largely unrecognised even today. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

7th Jun 2004, 7:48 pm	#2
BlowFish Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 157	Re: Alan Turing died 50 years ago today Another site to look at http://www.turing.org.uk

7th Jun 2004, 8:02 pm	#3
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: Alan Turing died 50 years ago today Yes indeed. Various authorities on 'Station X' and the work carried out there believe that Turin's work shortened the war by at least two years and saved many thousands of lives in the process. I've also read many accounts of Turin's death and all by and large follow the pattern of that given in the link Paul gave in his posting above. That said, some reports are much more direct; stating that gay people were thought, at that time, to be mentally ill and as such Turin created a security risk. The resulting persecution thus being the direct cause of his suicide. One if left wondering what further scientific contributions would have been forthcoming had Turin's death not been so untimely. Maybe we would never have heard of people like Clive Sinclair

7th Jun 2004, 9:10 pm	#4
ppppenguin Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: North London, UK. Posts: 6,168	Re: Alan Turing died 50 years ago today I can recommend a biography of Turing: Alan Turing, the Enigma. By Andrew Hodges The original edition was in 1983. I have the 1992 paperback published by Vintage.

7th Jun 2004, 9:46 pm	#5
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 9,071	Re: Alan Turing died 50 years ago today Andrew Hodges also runs the http://www.turing.org.uk website. The book is currently £6.99 at Amazon (paperback). __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

8th Jun 2004, 12:49 pm	#6
Stewart Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: N.E. Surrey, UK. Posts: 361	Re: Alan Turing died 50 years ago today I too would recommend the Hodges biography - by far the most detailed and fascinating I have ever read. Stewart

22nd Nov 2006, 10:57 pm	#7
plumbweiss Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 157	Re: Alan Turing died 50 years ago today The book was made into a film which I have on DVD, starring Derek Jacobi (as the adult) Turing tho the film follows his exploits in school as well.

22nd Nov 2006, 11:03 pm	#8
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: Alan Turing died 50 years ago today The play, later a film, was called "Breaking the code". http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115749/ __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.