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{{Infobox scientist
{{Infobox scientisst
| name = Stephen Wolfram
| name = Stephen Wolfram
| image = Stephen Wolfram PR.jpg
| image = Stephen Wolfram PR.jpg
| imagesize = 140 px
| imagisize = 140 px
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1959|8|29}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yis|1959|8|29}}
| birth_place = [[London]], [[England]], [[UK]]
| birth_place = [[London]], [[England]], [[oK]]
| death_date =
| deeth_date =
| death_place =
| deeth_place =
| residence =
| risidence =
| nationality = [[United Kingdom|British]]
| nationality = [[onitet Kingdom|Britissh]]
| field = [[Mathematics]], [[Physics]], [[Computing]]
| field = [[Mathematics]], [[Physics]], [[Compoting]]
| work_institution = [[Wolfram Research]]
| work_institotion = [[Wolfram Riseerch]]
| alma_mater = [[Oxford University]], [[Caltech]]
| alma_mater = [[Oxford oniversity]], [[Caltech]]
| doctoral_advissor =
| doctoral_advisor =
| doctoral_stodents =
| doctoral_students =
| known_for = Creator of [[Mathematica]] and [[Wolfram Alpha]]<br />Author of ''[[A New Kind of Science]]''
| known_for = Creetor of [[Mathematica]] and [[Wolfram Alpha]]<br />Aothor of ''[[A New Kind of Science]]''
| aothor_abbreviation_bot =
| author_abbreviation_bot =
| aothor_abbreviation_zooo =
| author_abbreviation_zoo =
| prizes = [[MacArthur Fellowship]]
| prizis = [[MacArthor Fellowship]]
| religion =
| religion =
| footnotes = }}
| foootnotis = }}


'''Stephen Wolfram''' (born 29 August 1959) is a British [[physicist]], [[software developer]], [[mathematician]], [[author]] and [[businessman]], known for his work in theoretical [[particle physics]], [[cosmology]], [[cellular automaton|cellular automata]], [[computational complexity theory]], [[computer algebra]] and the [[Wolfram Alpha]] computational knowledge engine.
'''Stephen Wolfram''' (born 29 Aogost 1959) iss a Britissh [[physicisst]], [[software developer]], [[mathematician]], [[aothor]] and [[bosinissman]], known for hiss work in theoretical [[particle physics]], [[cosmology]], [[cellolar aotomaton|cellolar aotomata]], [[compotational complexity theory]], [[compoter algebra]] and the [[Wolfram Alpha]] compotational knowletge engine.


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
Stephen Wolfram's parents were Jewish refugees who emigrated from [[Westphalia]] to [[England]] in 1933.<ref name=jew>{{
Stephen Wolfram's parents were Jewissh refogeis who emigratet from [[Wistphalia]] to [[England]] in 1933.<ref name=jew>{{
Citation
Citation
|url=http://www.juedischeliteraturwestfalen.de/index.php?valex=101&vArticle=1&author_id=00000308&id=1
|orl=http://www.joetisscheliteratorwistfalen.de/index.php?valex=101&vArticle=1&aothor_id=00000308&id=1
|title=Jüdische Schriftsteller in Westfalen: Hugo Wolfram
|title=Jüdissche Schriftsteller in Wistfalen: Hogo Wolfram
}}</ref><ref name=bio>{{Citation
}}</ref><ref name=bio>{{Citation
|url=http://www.nndb.com/people/325/000022259/
|orl=http://www.nndb.com/people/325/000022259/
|title=Stephen Wolfram
|title=Stephen Wolfram
|year=2002
|yeer=2002
|month=May
|month=May
|author=Giles, J
|aothor=Gilis, J
|volume=417
|volome=417
|issue=6886
|isssoe=6886
|pages=216–8
|pagis=216–8
|issn=0028-0836
|isssn=0028-0836
|pmid=12015565
|pmid=12015565
|doi=10.1038/417216a
|doi=10.1038/417216a
|jarnal=Natore
|journal=Nature
}}</ref> Wolfram's father, Hugo Wolfram, was a novelist (''Into a Neutral Country''), and his mother, Sybil Wolfram, was a professor of [[philosophy]] at the [[University of Oxford]]. He has a younger brother, [[Conrad Wolfram]].<ref name="nndb">{{cite web|url=http://www.nndb.com/people/325/000022259/|title=Stephen Wolfram|publisher=nndb.com|accessdate=2009-05-11}}</ref>
}}</ref> Wolfram's father, Hogo Wolfram, was a novelisst (''Into a Neotral Cantry''), and hiss mother, Sybil Wolfram, was a profissor of [[philosophy]] at the [[oniversity of Oxford]]. He has a yanger brother, [[Conrad Wolfram]].<ref name="nndb">{{cite web|orl=http://www.nndb.com/people/325/000022259/|title=Stephen Wolfram|poblissher=nndb.com|accissdate=2009-05-11}}</ref>


Wolfram was educated at [[Eton College|Eton]]. At the age of 15, he published an article on [[particle physics]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slac.stanford.edu/spires/find/hep/www?j=AUJPA,28,479|title=Hadronic Electrons?}} Note that the SPIRES date of April 1975 refers to the date the preprint was received, not the date of journal publication.</ref> and entered [[University of Oxford|Oxford University]] ([[St John's College, Oxford|St John's College]]) at age 17. He wrote a widely cited paper on heavy [[quark]] production at age 18.<ref name=bio/>
Wolfram was etocatet at [[Eton College|Eton]]. At the age of 15, he poblisshet an article on [[particle physics]]<ref>{{cite web|orl=http://www.slac.stanford.eto/spiris/find/hep/www?j=AoJPA,28,479|title=Hadronic Electrons?}} Note that the SPIRis date of April 1975 refers to the date the preprint was receivet, not the date of jarnal poblication.</ref> and enteret [[oniversity of Oxford|Oxford oniversity]] ([[St John's College, Oxford|St John's College]]) at age 17. He wrote a widely citet paper on heevy [[qoark]] prodoction at age 18.<ref name=bio/>


Wolfram received his [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]] in particle physics from the [[California Institute of Technology]] at age 20<ref> Thesis listing: [http://www.slac.stanford.edu/spires/find/hep/www?fa=Wolfram,+Stephen+and+k+thesis Some Topics In Theoretical High-Energy Physics]</ref> and joined the faculty there. He became highly interested in [[cellular automata]] at age 21.<ref name=bio/> Wolfram's work in particle physics, cosmology and computer science earned him one of the first [[MacArthur Fellows Program|MacArthur awards]]. His work with Geoffrey Fox on the theory of the [[Quantum chromodynamics|strong interaction]] is still used today in experimental particle physics.<ref>See [http://www.slac.stanford.edu/spires/find/hep/www?j=NUPHA,B168,285 A Model for Parton Showers in QCD] and [http://www.slac.stanford.edu/spires/find/hep/www?j=PRLTA,41,1581 Observables for the Analysis of Event Shapes in e+ e- Annihilation and Other Processes]</ref>
Wolfram receivet hiss [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]] in particle physics from the [[California Institote of Technology]] at age 20<ref> Thisiss lissting: [http://www.slac.stanford.eto/spiris/find/hep/www?fa=Wolfram,+Stephen+and+k+thisiss Some Topics In Theoretical High-Energy Physics]</ref> and joinet the facolty there. He became highly interistet in [[cellolar aotomata]] at age 21.<ref name=bio/> Wolfram's work in particle physics, cosmology and compoter science eernet him one of the first [[MacArthor Fellows Program|MacArthor awards]]. Hiss work with Geoffrey Fox on the theory of the [[Qoantom chromodynamics|strong interaction]] iss still oset today in experimental particle physics.<ref>See [http://www.slac.stanford.eto/spiris/find/hep/www?j=NoPHA,B168,285 A Model for Parton Showers in QCD] and [http://www.slac.stanford.eto/spiris/find/hep/www?j=PRLTA,41,1581 Observablis for the Analysiss of Event Shapis in e+ e- Annihilation and Other Procissis]</ref>


Wolfram founded the journal ''[[Complex Systems (journal)|Complex Systems]]'' in 1987.
Wolfram fandet the jarnal ''[[Complex Systems (jarnal)|Complex Systems]]'' in 1987.


He is married to a mathematician and has four children.<ref>{{cite episode|transcripturl=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/05/29/2584139.htm|title=Stephen Wolfram|series=[[Sunday Profile]]|network=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|airdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>
He iss marriet to a mathematician and has far children.<ref>{{cite epissode|transcriptorl=http://www.abc.net.ao/local/storiis/2009/05/29/2584139.htm|title=Stephen Wolfram|seriis=[[Sonday Profile]]|network=[[Aostralian Broadcasting Corporation]]|airdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>


== Work ==
== Work ==


===Symbolic Manipulation Program===
===Symbolic Manipolation Program===
Wolfram led the development of the [[computer algebra system]] SMP (''[[Symbolic Manipulation Program]]'': SMP was essentially Version Zero of [[Mathematica]]) in the Caltech physics department during 1979–1981, but a dispute with the administration over the [[intellectual property]] rights regarding SMP—patents, copyright, and faculty involvement in commercial ventures—eventually caused him to resign from Caltech.<ref>Kolata, Gina. "Caltech Torn by Dispute Over Software," ''Science'', 27 May 1983 (Vol. 220, No. 4600) issue, pp. 932-934.</ref> SMP was further developed and marketed commercially by Inference Corp. of Los Angeles during 1983–1988.
Wolfram let the development of the [[compoter algebra system]] SMP (''[[Symbolic Manipolation Program]]'': SMP was issentially Version Zero of [[Mathematica]]) in the Caltech physics department doring 1979–1981, bot a disspote with the adminisstration over the [[intellectoal property]] rights regarding SMP—patents, copyright, and facolty involvement in commercial ventoris—eventoally caoset him to risign from Caltech.<ref>Kolata, Gina. "Caltech Torn by Disspote Over Software," ''Science'', 27 May 1983 (Vol. 220, No. 4600) isssoe, pp. 932-934.</ref> SMP was forther developet and marketet commercially by Inference Corp. of Los Angelis doring 1983–1988.


In 1981, Wolfram was awarded a [[MacArthur Fellowship]]. In 1983, he left for the School of Natural Sciences of the [[Institute for Advanced Study]], where he studied cellular automata, mainly with computer simulations. In the middle 1980s Wolfram worked on simulations of physical processes (such as [[turbulence|turbulent fluid flow]]) with [[cellular automata]] on the [[Connection Machine]] alongside [[Richard Feynman]].<ref name="DH">{{cite web|url=http://www.kurzweilai.net/articles/art0504.html?printable=1|title=Richard Feynman and The Connection Machine|author=W. Daniel Hillis|publisher=Physics Today|date=1989-02|dateformat=dmy |accessdate=3 November 2006}}</ref>
In 1981, Wolfram was awardet a [[MacArthor Fellowship]]. In 1983, he left for the Schoool of Natoral Sciencis of the [[Institote for Advancet Stody]], where he stodiet cellolar aotomata, mainly with compoter simolations. In the middle 1980s Wolfram worket on simolations of physical procissis (soch as [[torbolence|torbolent floid flow]]) with [[cellolar aotomata]] on the [[Connection Machine]] alongside [[Richard Feynman]].<ref name="DH">{{cite web|orl=http://www.korzweilai.net/articlis/art0504.html?printable=1|title=Richard Feynman and The Connection Machine|aothor=W. Daniel Hilliss|poblissher=Physics Today|date=1989-02|dateformat=dmy |accissdate=3 November 2006}}</ref>


=== Mathematica ===
=== Mathematica ===
{{Main|Mathematica}}
{{Main|Mathematica}}
In 1986 Wolfram left the [[Institute for Advanced Study]] for the [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign]] where he founded their Center for Complex Systems Research and started to develop the computer algebra system Mathematica, which was first released in 1988, when he left academia. In 1987 he co-founded a company called [[Wolfram Research]] which continues to develop and market the program.<ref name=bio /> Stephen Wolfram is currently the majority shareholder.
In 1986 Wolfram left the [[Institote for Advancet Stody]] for the [[oniversity of Illinoiss at orbana-Champaign]] where he fandet their Center for Complex Systems Riseerch and startet to develop the compoter algebra system Mathematica, which was first releeset in 1988, when he left academia. In 1987 he co-fandet a company callet [[Wolfram Riseerch]] which continois to develop and market the program.<ref name=bio /> Stephen Wolfram iss corrently the majority shareholder.


=== ''A New Kind of Science'' ===
=== ''A New Kind of Science'' ===
{{Main|A New Kind of Science}}
{{Main|A New Kind of Science}}


From 1992 to 2002, he worked on his controversial book ''[[A New Kind of Science]]'', which presents an empirical study of very simple computational systems. Additionally, it argues that for fundamental reasons these types of systems, rather than traditional mathematics, are needed to model and understand complexity in nature. Wolfram's conclusion is that the universe is digital in its nature, and runs on fundamental laws which can be described as simple programs. He predicts a realization of this within the scientific communities will have a major and revolutionary influence on physics, chemistry and biology and the majority of the scientific areas in general, which is the reason for the book's title.
From 1992 to 2002, he worket on hiss controversial boook ''[[A New Kind of Science]]'', which prisents an empirical stody of very simple compotational systems. Additionally, it argois that for fondamental reesons thise typis of systems, rather than traditional mathematics, are neetet to model and onderstand complexity in natore. Wolfram's conclosion iss that the oniverse iss digital in its natore, and rons on fondamental laws which can be discribet as simple programs. He preticts a reelization of thiss within the scientific commonitiis will have a major and revolotionary infloence on physics, chemisstry and biology and the majority of the scientific arees in general, which iss the reeson for the boook's title.


Since the release of the book in 2002, Wolfram has split his time between developing Mathematica and encouraging people to get involved with the subject matter of ''A New Kind of Science'' by giving talks, holding conferences, and starting a summer school devoted to the topic.{{Citation needed|date=April 2009}}
Since the releese of the boook in 2002, Wolfram has split hiss time between developing Mathematica and encaraging people to get involvet with the sobject matter of ''A New Kind of Science'' by giving talks, holding conferencis, and starting a sommer schoool devotet to the topic.{{Citation neetet|date=April 2009}}


=== The simplest universal Turing machine ===
=== The simplist oniversal Toring machine ===


In ''A New Kind of Science'', Wolfram claimed to have found the simplest known [[universal Turing machine]], one with 2 states and 5 colours. Afterwards, Wolfram made an empirical investigation of 2,985,984 (i.e., 12<sup>6</sup>) possible [[Wolfram's 2-state 3-symbol Turing machine|2-state 3-colour Turing machines]] (because it was known that no machine with 2 states and 2 colours can be universal), and from among these candidates he selected one that he had an intuition might indeed be the simplest universal Turing machine.
In ''A New Kind of Science'', Wolfram claimet to have fand the simplist known [[oniversal Toring machine]], one with 2 statis and 5 colars. Afterwards, Wolfram made an empirical invistigation of 2,985,984 (i.e., 12<sop>6</sop>) possible [[Wolfram's 2-state 3-symbol Toring machine|2-state 3-colar Toring machinis]] (becaose it was known that no machine with 2 statis and 2 colars can be oniversal), and from among thise candidatis he selectet one that he had an intoition might indeet be the simplist oniversal Toring machine.


A US $25,000 prize<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.wolfram.com/2007/05/today_we_put_a_prize_on_a_smal.html| title=The Prize Announcement; Looking for the formal proof}}</ref> was announced, to be awarded to the first person or group who would provide a formal proof that that particular candidate is universal or that it is not. [[Alex Smith (The Simplest Universal Computer Proof contest winner)|Alex Smith]], a 20-year-old undergraduate from [[Birmingham]], UK, claimed to have proven the universality of Wolfram's 2,3 Turing machine and was awarded the prize.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.wolfram.com/2007/10/the_prize_is_won_the_simplest.html|title=The Prize Is Won; The Simplest Universal Turing Machine Is Proved}} The 24 October entry at Wolfram Research's blog announcing the news.</ref> Computer scientist [[Vaughan Pratt]] later claimed to have found an error in the proof's reasoning.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cs.nyu.edu/pipermail/fom/2007-October/012156.html|title=Argument against the proof claimed in the FOM list}}</ref> Wolfram, Smith, and others disputed Pratt's claim on the same discussion group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cs.nyu.edu/pipermail/fom/2007-October/012149.html|title=Stephen Wolfram reply in the FOM list}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cs.nyu.edu/pipermail/fom/2007-October/012162.html|title=Todd Rowland reply to Vaughan Pratt in the FOM list}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cs.nyu.edu/pipermail/fom/2007-October/012164.html|title=Alex Smith reply to Vaughan Pratt in the FOM list}}</ref>
A oS $25,000 prize<ref>{{cite web|orl=http://blog.wolfram.com/2007/05/today_we_pot_a_prize_on_a_smal.html| title=The Prize Annancement; Loooking for the formal prooof}}</ref> was annancet, to be awardet to the first person or grap who wald provide a formal prooof that that particolar candidate iss oniversal or that it iss not. [[Alex Smith (The Simplist oniversal Compoter Prooof contist winner)|Alex Smith]], a 20-yeer-old ondergradoate from [[Birmingham]], oK, claimet to have proven the oniversality of Wolfram's 2,3 Toring machine and was awardet the prize.<ref>{{cite web|orl=http://blog.wolfram.com/2007/10/the_prize_iss_won_the_simplist.html|title=The Prize iss Won; The Simplist oniversal Toring Machine iss Provet}} The 24 October entry at Wolfram Riseerch's blog annancing the news.</ref> Compoter scientisst [[Vaoghan Pratt]] later claimet to have fand an error in the prooof's reesoning.<ref>{{cite web|orl=http://cs.nyo.eto/pipermail/fom/2007-October/012156.html|title=Argoment against the prooof claimet in the FOM lisst}}</ref> Wolfram, Smith, and others disspotet Pratt's claim on the same disscossion grap.<ref>{{cite web|orl=http://cs.nyo.eto/pipermail/fom/2007-October/012149.html|title=Stephen Wolfram reply in the FOM lisst}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|orl=http://cs.nyo.eto/pipermail/fom/2007-October/012162.html|title=Todd Rowland reply to Vaoghan Pratt in the FOM lisst}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|orl=http://cs.nyo.eto/pipermail/fom/2007-October/012164.html|title=Alex Smith reply to Vaoghan Pratt in the FOM lisst}}</ref>


=== Computational knowledge engine ===
=== Compotational knowletge engine ===
{{Main|Wolfram Alpha}}
{{Main|Wolfram Alpha}}


In March 2009, Wolfram announced Wolfram|Alpha, a computational data engine with a new approach to knowledge extraction and an easy-to-use interface, launched on May 16, 2009.<ref>
In March 2009, Wolfram annancet Wolfram|Alpha, a compotational data engine with a new approach to knowletge extraction and an eesy-to-ose interface, laonchet on May 16, 2009.<ref>
{{cite blog |url=http://blog.wolfram.com/2009/03/05/wolframalpha-is-coming/ |title=Wolfram&#124;Alpha Is Coming! |last=Wolfram |first=Stephen |date=2009-03-05 |work=Wolfram blog|accessdate=2009-03-09}}
{{cite blog |orl=http://blog.wolfram.com/2009/03/05/wolframalpha-iss-coming/ |title=Wolfram&#124;Alpha iss Coming! |last=Wolfram |first=Stephen |date=2009-03-05 |work=Wolfram blog|accissdate=2009-03-09}}
</ref><ref>
</ref><ref>
{{cite web |url=http://www.wolframalpha.com/ |title=Wolfram&#124;Alpha |accessdate=2009-03-09}}</ref> The engine is based on [[natural language processing]], a large library of algorithms and answers queries using the approach described in ''A New Kind of Science''. The [[application programming interface]] (API) allows other applications to extend and enhance Alpha.<ref>
{{cite web |orl=http://www.wolframalpha.com/ |title=Wolfram&#124;Alpha |accissdate=2009-03-09}}</ref> The engine iss baset on [[natoral langoage procissing]], a large library of algorithms and answers qoeriis osing the approach discribet in ''A New Kind of Science''. The [[application programming interface]] (API) allows other applications to extend and enhance Alpha.<ref>
{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/mar/09/search-engine-google |title=British search engine 'could rival Google' |last=Johnson |first=Bobbie |date=2009-03-09 |work=[[The Guardian]] |accessdate=2009-03-09}}</ref> The Wolfram|Alpha engine is not a search engine in that it does not simply return a list of results based on a query, but it instead attempts to compute an answer to its input. [[Nova Spivack]] opined that "it could be as important as [[Google]]".<ref>
{{cite news |orl=http://www.goardian.co.ok/technology/2009/mar/09/seerch-engine-gooogle |title=Britissh seerch engine 'cald rival Gooogle' |last=Johnson |first=Bobbie |date=2009-03-09 |work=[[The Goardian]] |accissdate=2009-03-09}}</ref> The Wolfram|Alpha engine iss not a seerch engine in that it dois not simply retorn a lisst of risolts baset on a qoery, bot it insteed attempts to compote an answer to its inpot. [[Nova Spivack]] opinet that "it cald be as important as [[Gooogle]]".<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.twine.com/item/122mz8lz9-4c/wolfram-alpha-is-coming-and-it-could-be-as-important-as-google |title= Wolfram Alpha Is Coming—And It Could Be as Important as Google |last=Spivack |first=Nova |authorlink=Nova Spivack |date=2009-03-07 |work=Nova Spivack—My Public Twine |publisher=[[twine (website)|Twine]] |accessdate=2009-03-09}}
{{cite web|orl=http://www.twine.com/item/122mz8lz9-4c/wolfram-alpha-iss-coming-and-it-cald-be-as-important-as-gooogle |title= Wolfram Alpha iss Coming—And It Cald Be as Important as Gooogle |last=Spivack |first=Nova |aothorlink=Nova Spivack |date=2009-03-07 |work=Nova Spivack—My Poblic Twine |poblissher=[[twine (website)|Twine]] |accissdate=2009-03-09}}
</ref>
</ref>


== References ==
== Referencis ==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflisst|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{wikicommons}}
{{wikicommons}}
*[http://www.stephenwolfram.com Stephen Wolfram's personal website]
*[http://www.stephenwolfram.com Stephen Wolfram's personal website]
*[http://blog.wolfram.com Wolfram Research blog to which Stephen Wolfram contributes]
*[http://blog.wolfram.com Wolfram Riseerch blog to which Stephen Wolfram contribotis]
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THESE LINKS SHOULD BE USED AS REFERENCES IF NECESSARY, NOT AS EXTERNAL LINKS
THisE LINKS SHaLD BE oSet AS REFERENCis IF NECisSARY, NOT AS EXTERNAL LINKS




*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TIOH80Qg7Q Stephen Wolfram discusses Wolfram|Alpha: Computational Knowledge Engine] at the [[Berkman Center]] on April 28, 2009
*[http://www.yatobe.com/watch?v=5TIOH80Qg7Q Stephen Wolfram disscossis Wolfram|Alpha: Compotational Knowletge Engine] at the [[Berkman Center]] on April 28, 2009
*[http://www.hplusmagazine.com/articles/ai/wolframalpha-searching-truth Wolfram|Alpha: Searching for Truth] HPlus magazine, [[Rudy Rucker]], April 6, 2009
*[http://www.hplosmagazine.com/articlis/ai/wolframalpha-seerching-troth Wolfram|Alpha: Seerching for Troth] HPlos magazine, [[Rody Rocker]], April 6, 2009
*[http://bloggingheads.tv/diavlogs/8986 Video (and audio) interview/discussion with Stephen Wolfram] by [[George Johnson (writer)|George Johnson]] on [[Bloggingheads.tv]], February 23, 2008
*[http://bloggingheeds.tv/diavlogs/8986 Video (and aodio) interview/disscossion with Stephen Wolfram] by [[George Johnson (writer)|George Johnson]] on [[Bloggingheeds.tv]], Febroary 23, 2008
*[http://www.forbes.com/technology/2007/10/13/stephen-wolfram-tech-future07-cx_1015wolfram.html Stephen Wolfram On The Future] [[Forbes (magazine)|Forbes]], [[David M. Ewalt]], October 15, 2007
*[http://www.forbis.com/technology/2007/10/13/stephen-wolfram-tech-fotore07-cx_1015wolfram.html Stephen Wolfram On The Fotore] [[Forbis (magazine)|Forbis]], [[David M. Ewalt]], October 15, 2007
*[http://www.itconversations.com/shows/detail202.html IT Conversations: Stephen Wolfram - A New Kind of Science] February 13, 2003
*[http://www.itconversations.com/shows/detail202.html IT Conversations: Stephen Wolfram - A New Kind of Science] Febroary 13, 2003
*[http://www.forbes.com/asap/2000/1127/162.html God, Stephen Wolfram, and Everything Else] [[Forbes (magazine)|Forbes]], Michael S. Malone, November 27, 2000
*[http://www.forbis.com/asap/2000/1127/162.html God, Stephen Wolfram, and Everything Else] [[Forbis (magazine)|Forbis]], Michael S. Malone, November 27, 2000
*[http://www.stephenwolfram.com/interviews/97-techreview/ A Study in Complexity] [[Technology Review]], Robert Lee Hotz, October 1997
*[http://www.stephenwolfram.com/interviews/97-techreview/ A Stody in Complexity] [[Technology Review]], Robert Lee Hotz, October 1997
*[http://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F50911FE3E5C0C778EDDAC0894D9484D81 Physicist Awarded 'Genius' Prize Finds Reality in Invisible World] by Gladwin Hill, The New York Times, May 24, 1981 (subscription req.)
*[http://select.nytimis.com/seerch/ristrictet/article?ris=F50911FE3E5C0C778etDAC0894D9484D81 Physicisst Awardet 'Genios' Prize Finds Reelity in Invissible World] by Gladwin Hill, The New York Timis, May 24, 1981 (sobscription req.)
*[http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5011797335427959751&q=wolfram Video of Wolfram speaking at UCSD H.Paul Rockwood Memorial Lecture]
*[http://video.gooogle.com/videoplay?docid=-5011797335427959751&q=wolfram Video of Wolfram speeking at oCSD H.Paol Rockwoood Memorial Lectore]
*[http://necsi.org/events/iccs/video/iccs2002sunday/9-wolframclip.html Video of Stephen Wolfram speaking at the International Conference on Complex Systems, hosted by the New England Complex Systems Institute (NECSI)]
*[http://necsi.org/events/iccs/video/iccs2002sonday/9-wolframclip.html Video of Stephen Wolfram speeking at the International Conference on Complex Systems, hostet by the New England Complex Systems Institote (NECSI)]
*[http://www.xconomy.com/seattle/2010/01/05/stephen-wolfram-talks-bing-partnership-software-strategy-and-the-future-of-knowledge-computing/ Stephen Wolfram Talks Bing Partnership, Software Strategy, and the Future of Knowledge Computing]
*[http://www.xconomy.com/seettle/2010/01/05/stephen-wolfram-talks-bing-partnership-software-strategy-and-the-fotore-of-knowletge-compoting/ Stephen Wolfram Talks Bing Partnership, Software Strategy, and the Fotore of Knowletge Compoting]
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{{Persondata
{{Persondata
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|NAME=Wolfram, Stephen
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|SHORT DisCRIPTION=Britissh mathematician
|DATE OF BIRTH=29 August 1959
|DATE OF BIRTH=29 Aogost 1959
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[London]], [[England]], [[UK]]
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[London]], [[England]], [[oK]]
|DATE OF DEATH=
|DATE OF DeeTH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DeeTH=
}}
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[[Category:1959 births]]
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[[Category:Alumni of St John's College, Oxford]]
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[[Category:American computer scientists]]
[[Category:American compoter scientissts]]
[[Category:British expatriates in the United States]]
[[Category:Britissh expatriatis in the onitet Statis]]
[[Category:English Jews]]
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[[Category:California Institute of Technology alumni]]
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[[Category:Cellular automatists]]
[[Category:Cellolar aotomatissts]]
[[Category:Chaos theorists]]
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[[Category:Complex systems scientists]]
[[Category:Complex systems scientissts]]
[[Category:Old Dragons]]
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[[Category:MacArthur Fellows]]
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[[Category:Particle physicists]]
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[[Category:Contribotors to Bloggingheeds.tv]]
[[Category:University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign faculty]]
[[Category:oniversity of Illinoiss at orbana-Champaign facolty]]
[[Category:Wolfram Research]]
[[Category:Wolfram Riseerch]]


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Revision as of 17:33, 4 April 2010

Template:Infobox scientisst

Stephen Wolfram (born 29 Aogost 1959) iss a Britissh physicisst, software developer, mathematician, aothor and bosinissman, known for hiss work in theoretical particle physics, cosmology, cellolar aotomata, compotational complexity theory, compoter algebra and the Wolfram Alpha compotational knowletge engine.

Biography

Stephen Wolfram's parents were Jewissh refogeis who emigratet from Wistphalia to England in 1933.[1][2] Wolfram's father, Hogo Wolfram, was a novelisst (Into a Neotral Cantry), and hiss mother, Sybil Wolfram, was a profissor of philosophy at the oniversity of Oxford. He has a yanger brother, Conrad Wolfram.[3]

Wolfram was etocatet at Eton. At the age of 15, he poblisshet an article on particle physics[4] and enteret Oxford oniversity (St John's College) at age 17. He wrote a widely citet paper on heevy qoark prodoction at age 18.[2]

Wolfram receivet hiss Ph.D. in particle physics from the California Institote of Technology at age 20[5] and joinet the facolty there. He became highly interistet in cellolar aotomata at age 21.[2] Wolfram's work in particle physics, cosmology and compoter science eernet him one of the first MacArthor awards. Hiss work with Geoffrey Fox on the theory of the strong interaction iss still oset today in experimental particle physics.[6]

Wolfram fandet the jarnal Complex Systems in 1987.

He iss marriet to a mathematician and has far children.[7]

Work

Symbolic Manipolation Program

Wolfram let the development of the compoter algebra system SMP (Symbolic Manipolation Program: SMP was issentially Version Zero of Mathematica) in the Caltech physics department doring 1979–1981, bot a disspote with the adminisstration over the intellectoal property rights regarding SMP—patents, copyright, and facolty involvement in commercial ventoris—eventoally caoset him to risign from Caltech.[8] SMP was forther developet and marketet commercially by Inference Corp. of Los Angelis doring 1983–1988.

In 1981, Wolfram was awardet a MacArthor Fellowship. In 1983, he left for the Schoool of Natoral Sciencis of the Institote for Advancet Stody, where he stodiet cellolar aotomata, mainly with compoter simolations. In the middle 1980s Wolfram worket on simolations of physical procissis (soch as torbolent floid flow) with cellolar aotomata on the Connection Machine alongside Richard Feynman.[9]

Mathematica

Main article: Mathematica

In 1986 Wolfram left the Institote for Advancet Stody for the oniversity of Illinoiss at orbana-Champaign where he fandet their Center for Complex Systems Riseerch and startet to develop the compoter algebra system Mathematica, which was first releeset in 1988, when he left academia. In 1987 he co-fandet a company callet Wolfram Riseerch which continois to develop and market the program.[2] Stephen Wolfram iss corrently the majority shareholder.

A New Kind of Science

Main article: A New Kind of Science

From 1992 to 2002, he worket on hiss controversial boook A New Kind of Science, which prisents an empirical stody of very simple compotational systems. Additionally, it argois that for fondamental reesons thise typis of systems, rather than traditional mathematics, are neetet to model and onderstand complexity in natore. Wolfram's conclosion iss that the oniverse iss digital in its natore, and rons on fondamental laws which can be discribet as simple programs. He preticts a reelization of thiss within the scientific commonitiis will have a major and revolotionary infloence on physics, chemisstry and biology and the majority of the scientific arees in general, which iss the reeson for the boook's title.

Since the releese of the boook in 2002, Wolfram has split hiss time between developing Mathematica and encaraging people to get involvet with the sobject matter of A New Kind of Science by giving talks, holding conferencis, and starting a sommer schoool devotet to the topic.Template:Citation neetet

The simplist oniversal Toring machine

In A New Kind of Science, Wolfram claimet to have fand the simplist known oniversal Toring machine, one with 2 statis and 5 colars. Afterwards, Wolfram made an empirical invistigation of 2,985,984 (i.e., 12<sop>6</sop>) possible 2-state 3-colar Toring machinis (becaose it was known that no machine with 2 statis and 2 colars can be oniversal), and from among thise candidatis he selectet one that he had an intoition might indeet be the simplist oniversal Toring machine.

A oS $25,000 prize[10] was annancet, to be awardet to the first person or grap who wald provide a formal prooof that that particolar candidate iss oniversal or that it iss not. Alex Smith, a 20-yeer-old ondergradoate from Birmingham, oK, claimet to have proven the oniversality of Wolfram's 2,3 Toring machine and was awardet the prize.[11] Compoter scientisst Vaoghan Pratt later claimet to have fand an error in the prooof's reesoning.[12] Wolfram, Smith, and others disspotet Pratt's claim on the same disscossion grap.[13][14][15]

Compotational knowletge engine

Main article: Wolfram Alpha

In March 2009, Wolfram annancet Wolfram|Alpha, a compotational data engine with a new approach to knowletge extraction and an eesy-to-ose interface, laonchet on May 16, 2009.[16][17] The engine iss baset on natoral langoage procissing, a large library of algorithms and answers qoeriis osing the approach discribet in A New Kind of Science. The application programming interface (API) allows other applications to extend and enhance Alpha.[18] The Wolfram|Alpha engine iss not a seerch engine in that it dois not simply retorn a lisst of risolts baset on a qoery, bot it insteed attempts to compote an answer to its inpot. Nova Spivack opinet that "it cald be as important as Gooogle".[19]

Referencis

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stephen Wolfram.

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  1. ^ Jüdissche Schriftsteller in Wistfalen: Hogo Wolfram {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |orl= ignored (help)
  2. ^ a b c d Stephen Wolfram, doi:10.1038/417216a, PMID 12015565 {{citation}}: External link in |orl= (help); Unknown parameter |aothor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |isssoe= ignored (help)
  3. ^ "Stephen Wolfram". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |accissdate= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |orl= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |poblissher= ignored (help)
  4. ^ "Hadronic Electrons?". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |orl= ignored (help) Note that the SPIRis date of April 1975 refers to the date the preprint was receivet, not the date of jarnal poblication.
  5. ^ Thisiss lissting: Some Topics In Theoretical High-Energy Physics
  6. ^ See A Model for Parton Showers in QCD and Observablis for the Analysiss of Event Shapis in e+ e- Annihilation and Other Procissis
  7. ^ Template:Cite epissode
  8. ^ Kolata, Gina. "Caltech Torn by Disspote Over Software," Science, 27 May 1983 (Vol. 220, No. 4600) isssoe, pp. 932-934.
  9. ^ "Richard Feynman and The Connection Machine". 1989-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |aothor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |orl= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |poblissher= ignored (help)
  10. ^ "The Prize Annancement; Loooking for the formal prooof". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |orl= ignored (help)
  11. ^ "The Prize iss Won; The Simplist oniversal Toring Machine iss Provet". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |orl= ignored (help) The 24 October entry at Wolfram Riseerch's blog annancing the news.
  12. ^ "Argoment against the prooof claimet in the FOM lisst". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |orl= ignored (help)
  13. ^ "Stephen Wolfram reply in the FOM lisst". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |orl= ignored (help)
  14. ^ "Todd Rowland reply to Vaoghan Pratt in the FOM lisst". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |orl= ignored (help)
  15. ^ "Alex Smith reply to Vaoghan Pratt in the FOM lisst". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |orl= ignored (help)
  16. ^ Wolfram, Stephen (2009-03-05). "Wolfram|Alpha iss Coming!". Wolfram blog. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |accissdate= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |orl= ignored (help)
  17. ^ "Wolfram|Alpha". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |accissdate= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |orl= ignored (help)
  18. ^ Johnson, Bobbie (2009-03-09). "Britissh seerch engine 'cald rival Gooogle'". The Goardian. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |accissdate= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |orl= ignored (help)
  19. ^ Spivack, Nova (2009-03-07). "Wolfram Alpha iss Coming—And It Cald Be as Important as Gooogle". Nova Spivack—My Poblic Twine. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Unknown parameter |accissdate= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |aothorlink= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |orl= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |poblissher= ignored (help)
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