Claude Shannon

1961-2001

What’s his full name and who is his parents?

He full name is Claude Elwood Shannon.

His father is Claude Elwood Sr.(1862-1934)He’s a descendant of early New Jersey settlers, was a businessman and, for a period, Judge of Probate.

His mother is Mabel

Wolf Shannon.(1880-1945)She was daughter of German immigrants, was a language teacher and for a number of years Principal of Gaylord High School, in Gaylord, Michigan.

What’s his date of birth and did he have siblings?

He was born on April 30, 1916.

He had one sister named Catherine Shannon.She received a master’s degree in mathematics from University of Michigan in 1932.

What’s his place of birth?

He was born in Petoskey, Michigan.

Although he was born here, he grew up in Gaylord, MI.

This is a picture of the Lighthouse in Petoskey, MI.

Where did he receive his childhood education?

He graduated from Gaylord High School in 1932.

Gaylord High School

Where did he obtain further/advance education?

Shannon was educated at Michigan University in 1936, where he earned his B.S. degree.

Later he went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he studied both electrical engineering and mathematics, receiving a master's degree and a doctorate.

Shannon received both his master's degree and his doctorate in 1940.

The Dana Building

What’s his invention?

He invented switching circ

uits.

What technological Advances/Developments came about because of his invention?

His switching circuits are used in digital computers.

How has this invention been used in our

century for the betterment of our society?

His switching circuit board design is used in digital computers.

We use digital computers for many different things and almost EVERYDAY.

Did someone help with the invention or who used the innovation process to enhance this development?

Shannon used Boolean algebra to analyze switching and computer circuits.

Claude Shannon many awards!

He was named a National Research Fellow.

In 1957 he was named professor of communications sciences and mathematics at MIT.

He received the Morris Liebmann Memorial award in 1949, the Ballantine Medal in 1955, and the Merin J. Kelly Award of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers in 1962.

He was awarded the National Medal of science in 1966, as well as the Medal of Honor that same year from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

He also received the Jaquard award in 1978, the John Fritz Medal in 1983, and the Kyoto Prize in Basic Science in 1985.

Is he still alive and, if so, where is he located?

Claude Shannon died at age 84 on February 27, 2001 in Medford, Mass after a long

battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Research Project Citations

http://www.nyu.edu/pages/linguistics/courses/v610003/shan.html

http://www.research.att.com/~njas/doc/shannonbio.html

http://www.research.att.com/~njas/doc/ces5.html

http://www.kerryr.net/pioneers/shannon.htm

http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/biography/Shannon.html