John von Neumann (1903–1957)
Author of The Computer and the Brain
About the Author
John von Neumann (1903-57) was one of the most important mathematicians of the twentieth century. His work included fundamental contributions to mathematics, physics, economics, and the development of the atomic bomb and the computer. He was a founding member of the Institute for Advanced Study in show more Princeton. show less
Image credit: MacTutor History of Mathematics (http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/history/PictDisplay/Von_Neumann.html)
Series
Works by John von Neumann
Papers of John von Neumann on Computers and Computing Theory (Charles Babbage Institute Reprint) (1986) 8 copies
Quantization, nonlinear partial differential equations, and operator algebra : 1994 John von Neumann Symposium on… (1996) 7 copies
John von Neumann, Collected Works (Volume VI: Theory of Games, Astrophysics, Hydrodynamics and Meteorology) (1963) 3 copies
Continuous Geometries With a Transition Probability (Memoirs of the American Mathematical Society) (1981) 3 copies
First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC 2 copies
Operator algebras, quantization, and noncommutative geometry : a centennial celebration honoring John von Neumann and… (2004) 2 copies
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- von Neumann, John
- Legal name
- Neumann János
- Other names
- MARGITTAI NEUMANN, János Lajos (birth name)
MARGITTAI NEUMANN, Janos Lajos
VON NEUMANN, John
NEUMANN János,
NEUMANN Janos,
NEUMANN, John VON - Birthdate
- 1903-12-28
- Date of death
- 1957-02-08
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- Hungary
USA - Birthplace
- Budapest, Austria-Hungary
- Place of death
- Washington, D.C., USA
- Places of residence
- Budapest, Hungary
Zurich, Switzerland
Berlin, Germany
Hamburg, Germany
Princeton, New Jersey, USA
Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA - Education
- University of Berlin
ETH Zurich
Pázmány Péter University, Budapest, Hungary
University of Göttingen - Occupations
- mathematician
polymath - Relationships
- Ulam, Stanisław (friend)
- Organizations
- American Mathematical Society
National Academy of Sciences
Atomic Energy Commission
Manhattan Project - Awards and honors
- Medal of Freedom
Albert Einstein Award
Enrico Fermi Award (1956)
Bôcher Memorial Prize (1938)
Carl-Gustaf Rossby Research Medal (1956)
National Academy of Sciences
Members
Reviews
The book was of interest mostly for historical reasons but the comparisons between computing and neurophysiological components (as they were known at the time) and some of the analogising between computing machines and the human neurobiological system were interesting. It's a pity von Neumann didn't finish and deliver the lectures before he died.
Von Neumann's unfinished last work comparing digital computers with the human brain. Works through his estimations and comparisons of various capabilities, e.g., that the human brain has about 3.5 PB of storage. Concludes that the architecture of the brain and central nervous system is so different from that of the digital computer that it implies a completely different (programming) language of mathematics and logic is used.
Impressive little book which along with Turing's work, et al., founded the field of computer science as we know it. Of most interest if you are interested in the history and foundations of modern computer science, otherwise the concepts here will be so familiar that you will know many of them already.
Lists
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 24
- Also by
- 3
- Members
- 1,099
- Popularity
- #23,377
- Rating
- 3.9
- Reviews
- 11
- ISBNs
- 68
- Languages
- 8
- Favorited
- 4
The second part is a construction of the text von Neumann was working on at the time of his death. This is heavy reading because it's the foundational work of a new field. If one's interest is playing around with CAs there are probably more accessible options.
The book design unfortunately has the figures and schematics for the CA appended instead of intermingled.… (more)