loader image
Documentaries, technology

Britain’s Greatest Codebreaker

YEAR: 2011 | LENGTH: 1 part (60 minutes)  |  SOURCE: CHANNEL4


Alan Turing is the genius British mathematician who was instrumental in breaking the German naval Enigma Code during World War II, arguably saving millions of lives. He was also the visionary scientist who gave birth to the computer age, pioneered artificial intelligence and was the first to investigate the mathematical underpinnings of the living world.

Turing is one of the great original thinkers of the 20th century, who foresaw the digital world in which we now live. In the eyes of many scientists today Turing sits alongside Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin at the table of scientific greats.




In the last 18 months of his short life, Turing visited a psychiatrist, Dr Franz Greenbaum, who tried to help him. This film brings Turing’s ideas to life by dramatising this relationship and these sessions, based on historical records, Turing’s writings, and accounts of those who knew him.


Plus, contemporary experts from the world of technology and high science, including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, bring Turing’s exciting impact up to the present day, explaining why, in many ways, modern technology has only just begun to explore the potential of Turing’s ideas. 



Add CommentYour email address will not be published