Alan Turing | Origin of Street Names

Alan Turing (1912 - 1954) was an English scientist, the "father" of modern computer science, and a mathematician. He is best known for deciphering the Nazi Enigma machine during World War II, which many consider a crucial moment in the outcome of this bloody war.

He was born in London as a highly gifted child whose intelligence was recognized from an early age. However, the conservative environment of early 20th-century London did not pay much attention to talented mathematicians or any form of eccentricity, so Turing completed his studies at both Cambridge and Princeton University in the USA, where he also earned his doctorate.

Upon returning to England in 1939, at the dawn of World War II, Turing was engaged as a cryptanalyst in the government's security and intelligence organization, the Government Code and Cypher School, with the task of working with a team of experts to uncover encrypted messages or information that could jeopardize the security of the United Kingdom.

One of such tasks was "breaking" the famous Enigma machine—a sophisticated system for sending encrypted messages that enabled German units and their allies to rapidly conquer a large part of Europe.

Although many scientists in England worked on this problem, the main challenge lay in the fact that German intelligence changed the machine's cipher on a daily basis. Just when they were about to decode the machine, its cipher would be changed, rendering all their efforts futile.

Alan Turing is credited with the invention of the machine known as the "Bombe," which significantly reduced the time required for code-breaking. Thanks to this, the British intelligence service was able to intercept German secret messages and take preemptive action against the enemy.

It is believed that this invention shortened the duration of World War II by nearly two years and saved over 20 million lives.

However, despite such a significant discovery, one would expect Turing to achieve worldwide fame and be adorned with numerous accolades. The reality was different, and in his case, quite brutal.

Being a homosexual, which was illegal in 1940s Britain, Turing was charged with gross indecency due to his relationship with another man. Homosexuality was not only prohibited but also considered a mental illness in England, and Turing was "sentenced" to lifelong hormone injections, which forced him to cease his scientific work.

It is believed that at the age of 42, he committed suicide by intentionally poisoning himself with cyanide.

Official pardon and recognition for all his contributions to the outcome of World War II came many years after his death. Today, he is considered one of the most brilliant mathematical minds in the history of world science.

Symbolically, there is also a street named after Alan Turing in the Belgrade neighborhood of Miljakovac 3. Alan Turing Street.