Von Neumann Architecture - Computerphile

Von Neumann Architecture is how nearly all computers are built, but who was John Von Neumann and where did the architecture come from? Professor Brailsford tells us about 'Uncle Johnny'

Extra thanks to our super sleuth secret Princeton based photographer...

This video was filmed and edited by Sean Riley.

[profdaveb]

Apologies to all those of you distressed by the unsolved Rubik cube (which also appeared in my recent video about the Wheeler Jump). I'm afraid it will still be there in the up-coming video(s) about EDSAC - because all of this material was filmed by Sean in the same session in early February. If we do any follow-up filming in that same room I'll ensure that the cube is solved.

[_____o.r.o_____]

I am Hungarian and the fact that professor Brailsford knew how to correctly pronounce János and he also knew about the fact that we put our surname first, just made me so happy. It is so thoughtful.

[CasperBang]

5 hours ago I told a goodnight story to my daughter. Now Prof Brailsford told a goodnight story for me and just like my daughter, I crave more. Excellent video!

[ZeedijkMike]

I could listen to Professor Brailsford a whole evening.
Love these stories of the men and women responsible for the development of computers and their programming languages.

[profdaveb]

Hi everyone! At some time last night (24 Feb. 2018 ) "Computerphile" reached 1, 000, 000 subscribers! Just wish Uncle Johnny could be here to buy endless bottles of champagne for all those who became subscribers as a result of watching this video :-)

[Fiyaaaahh]

I love Brailsford's history monologues :)

[szapcsika]

Professor Brailsford, excellent pronunciation of Hungarian names!

[Livender]

I am from Budapest and his secondary school is two blocks from my house. That was an incredible alma mater, three Nobel-laureates studied there: Wigner, Neumann and Harsányi. Everytime I pass the building it gives me chills. Some friends studied there in the early 90's and once took me in to see the building -- well, was I intimidated :) Neumann and Wigner studied with the same maths teacher, Mikola Sándor (family name first, right, prof? :) ). He was an extraordinary teahcer, as you might imagine. The other one who was maybe even more important was Rátz László (often only referred to as "Rátz tanár úr" or Professor Rátz). There is a statue erected in his memory at the joint headquarters of Graphisoft and Microsoft Hungary in the northern part of Budapest.
Also, regarding the hydrogen bomb: Einstein's letter to Roosevelt was actually initiated by Wigner (who, as I said, studied at the same school as Neumann + grew up near the end of my street) and Teller. It's crazy to think about it that three Hungarians were very deeply involved in the creation of the most deadly weapon ever made (even if they regretted it greatly and lobbied very heavily for rearmament).

[pihungliu]

Many people may have heard this little story about von Neumann: There's this math puzzle about a fly flying between two trains approaching each other, turns around when it reaches the either side of the train, and then asks you to find out how far the fly have flied until the two trains met. Von Neumann gave the correct answer almost immediately, and when asked about if he is using the shortcut solution, he responded that he explicitly summed up the infinite series to get the answer.

[RobinWootton]

I love the way Sean kicks off the most arcane topics with, "A Lot of people ask ... " and Professor Brailsford chuckles at the fact nobody has asked, it's just something he's offered to enlighten us on for quarter an hour!

[wakkowarner]

this guy should make an Audiobook, I could listen to him for hours!

[istvanbitter]

Von Neumann was very much indeed an international figure, but still, thanks for the effort for saying and pronouncing his name correctly in it's original Hungarian way as well. Respect, and great fan of the channel.

[ZhengCheng]

Title should be "Story of Von Neumann", not "Von Neumann Architecture"

[Milosz_Ostrow]

I love the Computerphile segments with Prof. Brailsford for the historical perspective and context he gives the subjects.

[nullptr.]

This is absolutely amazing, we are blessed to have a professor with such great knowledge available for everyone here on YouTube, thank you Professor Brailsford and Sean.

[somethingsinlife]

Professor Brailsford is the professor you want in class...Where you feel bad if you missed something. Where you know it's your liss if you weren't listening.

[JimGardner]

I could listen to Professor Brailsford for a year and still want more.

[GuyMichaely]

title: Von Neumann Architecture
Video: Von Neumann Biography

[salerio]

Wow Professor Brailsford that was incredible! Can't wait for part II. The strange thing is, that when I was an undergraduate none of this had come out, and I had to write a 2000 essay on the history of computers (to get through year 1 - no marks awarded). Turing wasn't even mentioned in any of my references, and we had to rely on the US version of events.

[benjaminramsey]

Absolutely COMPELLING! I could listen to this man tell stories ALL DAY!