By Claude Shannon was a brilliant mathematician and engineer whose work laid the foundation for the digital age. In his 1937 master’s thesis, he applied Boolean algebra to electrical circuits, proving that machines could perform logical operations. This breakthrough became the basis for modern computing. Later, at Bell Labs, he contributed to wartime cryptography and developed fundamental concepts in digital communication.
In 1948, he published *A Mathematical Theory of Communication*, introducing the bit as the basic unit of information and laying the groundwork for data transmission, error correction, and modern communication systems. His theories shaped everything from the internet to artificial intelligence. Despite his genius, Shannon avoided fame, preferring to work on personal projects like early AI experiments, mechanical toys, and even gambling devices.
Later in life, Shannon gradually withdrew from academia, continuing his experiments privately until Alzheimer’s disease affected his abilities. He passed away in 2001, but his contributions remain essential to digital technology, influencing fields as diverse as computing, cryptography, and financial modeling. His legacy lives on in every digital device and communication system used today.
