Yesterday (22nd July), I saw the movie – The Imitation Game – which is a fantastic biopic of the great father of computer science, Sir Alan Turing. The seamless compilation of emotional events in the life of cryptography from Alan Turing’s perspective is what formulates this first-rate film. After watching this Oscar winner film, I am manifest to say that anyone would strongly recommend it (including myself).
Introduction
Alan Turing was a British male born on 23rd June 1912. He was primarily recognized as a mathematician and/or a computer scientist despite his other identifications including logician, philosopher and theoretical biologist. The notion that a man could possess these many qualities is itself as strong as the enginery that works the world.
The Bombe
Alan worked for the Government Code and Cypher School (GC&CS now developed as the GCHQ) at Bletchley Park which is Britain’s codebreaking centre. He worked there to speed up the breaking of German ciphers (encrypted codes) for assisting Britain’s war situations. Turing worked on assembling a machine that reduced the effort from men and helped to decipher the enigma code. This machine was known as the Bombe or the Turing Machine or according to the film – Christopher (there is an emotional reason for this).
Hut 8
Hut 8 was tasked with solving German naval Enigma messages; it was initially led by Alan Turing and was later succeeded by Hugh Alexander. Alan Turing’s work with his team of 15 codebreakers better known as Hut 8 – which was an organisation in the GC&CS – was notably successful and solved something that was determined to be impossible. Turing’s rough life was destined to discharge him from his two years of unprecedented work at Bletchley Park however, his team (who initially disliked him) were the saviours of his passion and fortunately destiny was broken by his friends and led to a better resolution of his story.
Conviction for Indecency
After the work at Bletchley which was kept a secret until mid 1970’s Alan was convicted for gross indecency due to his homosexuality. Alan avoided prison by accepting the option of treatment from homosexuality as it was considered illegal during that time.
Death
On 8th June 1954, Alan Turing – the mastermind aged 41 was found dead by his housekeeper so he was examined on his death which established that cyanide poisoning was the motive. Alan Turing was recognized as the prime rationale for the success of the Allies and for shortening World War 2, by Winston Churchill. He has been awarded many tributes and recognition; as a matter of fact, the logo of Apple is often referred to as a tribute to Alan Turing’s death as the bite of the Apple, mark’s the “computer science father’s” death.
Leave a Reply