Claude Shannon
Founder of information theory—the math behind all digital data.
Their Story
Claude Shannon was an American mathematician and engineer often called the father of information theory. He showed that any message—words, sounds, or pictures—could be measured in 'bits' and sent reliably even with noise. His ideas form the foundation of digital communication and computing.
Era
1900s
Field
Information Theory
Claude Shannon
Founder of information theory—the math behind all digital data.
Math · Information Theory · 1900s
Their Story
Claude Shannon was an American mathematician and engineer often called the father of information theory. He showed that any message—words, sounds, or pictures—could be measured in 'bits' and sent reliably even with noise. His ideas form the foundation of digital communication and computing.
Key Innovation
Created information theory, defining the 'bit' and the math for storing and transmitting digital data.
Why It Matters Today
Every text message, streaming video, and download relies on the theory he invented for moving information.
Learn More
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claude_Shannon
- Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Claude-Shannon
Wilkinson STEM Education Foundation · 251 American Innovators · wilkinsonstemfoundation.org
