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John Von Neumann
John von Neumann (1903-1957) was a Hungarian-American mathematician and physicist known for his significant contributions to various fields including mathematics, computer science, and quantum mechanics. He played a pivotal role in the development of the atomic bomb and the stored program concept in computer architecture, which became central to modern computing. Recognized for his remarkable intellect, he received numerous accolades, and his legacy continues through awards and institutions named in his honor.
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John Von Neumann
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- 2. Background • Nationalities: Hungarian American •1903.12.18- 1957.02.08 • Academic area: Mathematics, computer science, physics, politics, economics
- 3. Early LifeEarly Life Bornon 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 inAge ten, attended one of the best Universities in BudapestBudapest Before graduating from high school, he would beBefore graduating from high school, he would be considered a mathematical colleague by professorsconsidered a mathematical colleague by professors PublishedPublished Journal of the German MathematicalJournal of the German Mathematical SocietySociety at age of seventeenat age of seventeen
- 4. College DaysCollege Days Enrolledin the University of BerlinEnrolled in the University of Berlin in 1921in 1921 Graduated in 1926 with BachelorsGraduated in 1926 with Bachelors in chemical engineeringin chemical engineering At the same year, received Ph. DAt the same year, received Ph. D in Mathematics from University ofin Mathematics from University of BudapestBudapest Began lecturing at age of 23 at U.Began lecturing at age of 23 at U. of Berlin and Hamburgof Berlin and Hamburg Came to US in 1930’s to teach atCame to US in 1930’s to teach at PrincetonPrinceton
- 5. Progress in USProgressin US Became editor ofBecame editor of Annals of MathematicsAnnals of Mathematics and co- editor ofand co- editor of Compositio MathematicaCompositio Mathematica Called upon by US government inCalled upon by US government in participation in the construction of theparticipation in the construction of the atomic bomb in 1943atomic bomb in 1943 Met Herbert Goldstine, a pioneer of one ofMet Herbert Goldstine, a pioneer of one of the first operational electronic digitalthe first operational electronic digital computers in 1944. This sparked acomputers in 1944. This sparked a fascination with computersfascination with computers Started working on the stored programStarted working on the stored program conceptconcept – This eliminated the hours of tedious laborThis eliminated the hours of tedious labor required to reprogram computersrequired to reprogram computers
- 6. Contributions . ..Contributions . . . (To Name A Few)(To Name A Few) The Atomic BombThe Atomic Bomb ComputerComputer Stored ProgramStored Program ConceptConcept Set theorySet theory Measure theoryMeasure theory Ergodic theoryErgodic theory Operator theoryOperator theory Lattice theoryLattice theory MathematicalMathematical formulation offormulation of quantum mechanicsquantum mechanics Quantum logicQuantum logic Game theoryGame theory MathematicalMathematical economicseconomics Linear programmingLinear programming Mathematical statisticsMathematical statistics Nuclear weaponsNuclear weapons The ICBM CommitteeThe ICBM Committee Mutually assuredMutually assured destructiondestruction Computer scienceComputer science Fluid dynamicsFluid dynamics
- 7. Contribution inContribution in ComputerfieldComputer field 1950’s- consultant for IBM1950’s- consultant for IBM Reviewed proposed and ongoing advanced technologyReviewed proposed and ongoing advanced technology projectsprojects One project, FORTRAN, he questioned asking whyOne 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 haveOver the past 40 years, changes in computers have been primarily in terms of speed and composition of thebeen primarily in terms of speed and composition of the fundamental circuitsfundamental circuits The basic architecture designed by von Neumann hasThe basic architecture designed by von Neumann has persistedpersisted
- 8. Stored Program Concept “VonNeumann 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
- 9. The proposal laidout the concepts behind the modern electronic digital computer!
- 10. John Von Neumannwas known for his contributions to theJohn Von Neumann was known for his contributions to the fields of mathematical logic and the foundations offields 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 energyIt is based on the observation that all forms of energy are released in discrete units or bundles.are released in discrete units or bundles.
- 11. outstanding achievements incomputer-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
- 12. End of theroadEnd of the road In 1957, died of boneIn 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 workIt is thought that his work with the atomic bombwith the atomic bomb resulted in the boneresulted in the bone cancercancer Today, he is thought toToday, he is thought to be one of the mostbe one of the most brilliant and interestingbrilliant and interesting minds of the twentiethminds of the twentieth century.century.
- 13. HonoursHonours The IEEE Johnvon Neumann Medal is awarded annually byThe IEEE John von Neumann Medal is awarded annually by the IEEE "for outstanding achievements in computer-relatedthe IEEE "for outstanding achievements in computer-related science and technology."science and technology." The John von Neumann Lecture is given annually atThe John von Neumann Lecture is given annually at the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) bythe Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) by a researcher who has contributed to applied mathematics, anda 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 NeumannThe crater von Neumann on the Moonon the Moon is named after him.is named after him. The John von Neumann Computing Center in Princeton, NewThe 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 computerThe 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 honoursApart from these, Neumann received many other honours (Total of around 200).(Total of around 200).
- 14. ConclusionConclusion John von Neumannhad 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.
- 15. “ There are twokinds of people in the world: Johnny von Neumann and the rest of us.” - Eugene Wigner, a Nobel Prize–winning physicist
Editor's Notes
- #4 At the age of six, he was able to exchange jokes with his father in classical Greek. The Neumann family sometimes entertained guests with demonstrations of Johnny's ability to memorise phone books. A guest would select a page and column of the phone book at random. Young Johnny read the column over a few times, then handed the book back to the guest. He could answer any question put to him ( who has number such and such? ) or recite names, addresses, and numbers in order.
- #5 By his mid-twenties, von Neumann's fame had spread worldwide in the mathematical community. At academic conferences, he would find himself pointed out as a young genius.