Pride Month STEM Feature: Alan Turing - REV Robotics

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Alan Turing, the namesake for the Turing field at FIRST Robotics World Championships from 2017-2022, is an incredibly important historical figure for both STEM and the LGBTQ+ Community.In 1936, Turing introduced the concept of the Turing machine, a theoretical device that laid the foundation for modern computer science. Although his design for the Automatic Computing Engine (ACE) was never built during his lifetime, his visionary principles influenced subsequent computer development and propelled the world into the digital age.Alan Turing's interests extended beyond mathematics and computing. In 1950, he proposed the concept of the Turing Test, which aimed to determine if a machine could exhibit intelligent behavior indistinguishable from that of a human. Turing's pioneering work in artificial intelligence laid the groundwork for subsequent research and continues to drive the quest for creating intelligent machines.During World War II, Turing joined the Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, where he played a crucial role in decrypting encrypted messages. Turing's expertise in cryptography helped crack the German Enigma machine codes, a pivotal accomplishment that enabled the Allies to gain vital intelligence and ultimately turn the tide of the war in their favor. His contributions and those of his colleagues significantly shortened the duration of the war and saved countless lives.Despite being a decorated hero at the end of the war, Turing faced prosecution due to his sexual orientation, which was against the law at that time. In 2013, he was posthumously pardoned by Queen Elizabeth II. This pardon highlighted the injustices faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and brought attention to the ongoing struggle for equality and human rights.Alan Turing's brilliance and contributions to various fields continue to inspire and shape our world. His work on the Turing machine, codebreaking during World War II, and the concept of artificial intelligence have left a lasting mark on mathematics, computer science, and cryptography. He is an important historical figure for both the LGBTQ+ community and the STEM community.