Code as a Struggle. A Short History of IT. 2. John von Neumann

The second article in the series 'Code as a Struggle: A Short History of IT' focuses on John von Neumann, an outstanding mathematician and physicist whose ideas formed the basis of modern computer architecture. Unlike the previous piece on the tragic fate of Alan Turing, this text describes von Neumann's incredible productivity. The author emphasizes that the scientist had a unique ability to work on several complex projects simultaneously, including his participation in the Manhattan Project to develop the atomic bomb. It was von Neumann who designed the architecture of the universal computing machine, which remains the standard for most computers today. The article invites readers to look at the history of IT not only through the lens of technology, but also through the personalities of the people who created it. It is a fascinating excursion into the biography of a genius whose influence on computing cannot be overstated.