VATSAL Unadkat

X MAROON

Background

• Nationalities: Hungarian American

• 1903.12.18-1957.02.08

• Academic area:

Mathematics, computer science, physics, politics, economics

Early LifeEarly Life

Born on December 28, 1903Born on December 28, 1903

Hometown in Budapest, HungaryHometown in Budapest, Hungary

At the age of six, he had a great interest in numbersAt the age of six, he had a great interest in numbers

Age eight, read 41 volumes of the Universal HistoryAge eight, read 41 volumes of the Universal History

Age ten, attended one of the best Universities in Age ten, attended one of the best Universities in BudapestBudapest

Before graduating from high school, he would be Before graduating from high school, he would be considered a mathematical colleague by professorsconsidered a mathematical colleague by professors

Published Published Journal of the German Mathematical Journal of the German Mathematical Society Society at age of seventeenat age of seventeen

College DaysCollege Days

Enrolled in the University of Berlin in Enrolled in the University of Berlin in 19211921

Graduated in 1926 with Bachelors in Graduated in 1926 with Bachelors in chemical engineeringchemical engineering

At the same year, received Ph. D in At the same year, received Ph. D in Mathematics from University of Mathematics from University of BudapestBudapest

Began lecturing at age of 23 at U. of Began lecturing at age of 23 at U. of Berlin and HamburgBerlin and Hamburg

Came to US in 1930’s to teach at Came to US in 1930’s to teach at PrincetonPrinceton

Progress in USProgress in US

Became editor of Became editor of Annals of Mathematics Annals of Mathematics and co- editor of and co- editor of Compositio MathematicaCompositio Mathematica

Called upon by US government in Called upon by US government in participation in the construction of the participation in the construction of the atomic bomb in 1943atomic bomb in 1943

Met Herbert Goldstine, a pioneer of one of Met Herbert Goldstine, a pioneer of one of the first operational electronic digital the first operational electronic digital computers in 1944. This sparked a computers in 1944. This sparked a fascination with computersfascination with computers

Started working on the stored program Started working on the stored program conceptconcept– This eliminated the hours of tedious labor This eliminated the hours of tedious labor

required to reprogram computersrequired to reprogram computers

Contributions . . . Contributions . . . (To Name A Few)(To Name A Few)

The Atomic BombThe Atomic BombComputerComputerStored Program ConceptStored Program ConceptSet theorySet theoryMeasure theoryMeasure theoryErgodic theoryErgodic theoryOperator theoryOperator theoryLattice theoryLattice theoryMathematical formulation Mathematical formulation of quantum mechanicsof quantum mechanicsQuantum logicQuantum logic

Game theoryGame theoryMathematical Mathematical economicseconomicsLinear programmingLinear programmingMathematical statisticsMathematical statisticsNuclear weaponsNuclear weaponsThe ICBM CommitteeThe ICBM CommitteeMutually assured Mutually assured destructiondestructionComputer scienceComputer scienceFluid dynamicsFluid dynamics

Contribution inContribution in Computer fieldComputer field

1950’s- consultant for IBM1950’s- consultant for IBM

Reviewed proposed and ongoing advanced technology Reviewed proposed and ongoing advanced technology projectsprojects

One project, FORTRAN, he questioned asking why One project, FORTRAN, he questioned asking why anyone would want more than one machine languageanyone would want more than one machine language

Over the past 40 years, changes in computers have Over the past 40 years, changes in computers have been primarily in terms of speed and composition of the been primarily in terms of speed and composition of the fundamental circuitsfundamental circuits

The basic architecture designed by von Neumann has The basic architecture designed by von Neumann has persistedpersisted

Stored Program Concept “Von Neumann Architecture”

Contributed a new understanding of how practical fast computers should be organized and built

The advancement was the provision of a special type of machine instruction called conditional control transfer

This permitted the program sequence to be interrupted and reinitiated at any point

Data and program can be stored in the same space

The computer itself can alter the program or the internal data

Computing and programming became faster, more flexible, and more efficient in computational work

The proposal laid out the concepts behind the modern electronic digital computer!

John Von Neumann was known for his contributions to the John Von Neumann was known for his contributions to the fields of mathematical logic and the foundations of fields of mathematical logic and the foundations of quantum mechanics (i.e. the atomic bomb). quantum mechanics (i.e. the atomic bomb).

It is based on the observation that all forms of energy It is based on the observation that all forms of energy are released in discrete units or bundles.are released in discrete units or bundles.

outstanding achievements in computer-related science and technology.

….. And many others

John Von Neumann Theory prize Awarded annually to a scholar (s) who has made

fundamental, sustained contributions to theory in operations research and the management sciences.

IEEE John von Neumann Medal

End of the roadEnd of the road

In 1957, died of bone In 1957, died of bone cancer in Washington, cancer in Washington, D.C. at age of 54D.C. at age of 54

It is thought that his work It is thought that his work with the atomic bomb with the atomic bomb resulted in the bone resulted in the bone cancercancer

Today, he is thought to Today, he is thought to be one of the most be one of the most brilliant and interesting brilliant and interesting minds of the twentieth minds of the twentieth century.century.

HonoursHonours

The IEEE John von Neumann Medal is awarded annually by The IEEE John von Neumann Medal is awarded annually by the IEEE "for outstanding achievements in computer-related the IEEE "for outstanding achievements in computer-related science and technology."science and technology."The John von Neumann Lecture is given annually at The John von Neumann Lecture is given annually at the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) by a researcher who has contributed to applied mathematics, and a researcher who has contributed to applied mathematics, and the chosen lecturer is also awarded a monetary prize.the chosen lecturer is also awarded a monetary prize.The crater von Neumann The crater von Neumann on the Moonon the Moon is named after him. is named after him.The John von Neumann Computing Center in Princeton, New The John von Neumann Computing Center in Princeton, New Jersey was named in his honour.Jersey was named in his honour.The professional society of Hungarian computer The professional society of Hungarian computer scientists, scientists, John von Neumann Computer SocietyJohn von Neumann Computer Society, is named , is named after John von Neumann.after John von Neumann.Apart from these, Neumann received many other honours Apart from these, Neumann received many other honours (Total of around 200).(Total of around 200).

ConclusionConclusion

John von Neumann had great on:John von Neumann had great on: Mathematics: Mathematics:

PhysicsPhysics

Computer ScienceComputer Science

EconomicsEconomics

Still, he has influences on science development, like IEEE John von Neumann Medal.

“ There are two kinds of people in the world: Johnny von Neumann and the rest of us.”

- Eugene Wigner, a Nobel Prize–winning physicist