Hal Finney (computer scientist): Difference between revisions

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In 2004, Finney created the first [[Proof-of-work system|reusable proof of work system]] before [[Bitcoin]].{{CN|date=February 2014}}<ref>http://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/Here-s-The-Problem-With-The-New-Theory-That-A-4529573.php</ref> In January 2009, Finney was the Bitcoin network's first recipient transaction.<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/01/03/hal-finney-received-the-first-bitcoin-transaction-heres-how-he-describes-it/</ref>
In 2004, Finney created the first [[Proof-of-work system|reusable proof of work system]] before [[Bitcoin]].{{CN|date=February 2014}}<ref>http://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/Here-s-The-Problem-With-The-New-Theory-That-A-4529573.php</ref> In January 2009, Finney was the Bitcoin network's first recipient transaction.<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/01/03/hal-finney-received-the-first-bitcoin-transaction-heres-how-he-describes-it/</ref>


In October 2009, Finney announced on an essay on the blog [[Less Wrong]] that he was been diagnosed with [[Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis]] (ALS) in August 2009.<ref>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/1ab/dying_outside/ Dying Outside]</ref> Prior to his illness, Finney had been an active runner. Finney and his wife Fran Finney raised money for ALS research with the [[Santa Barbara International Marathon]].<ref>[http://www.sbimarathon.com/About_Us/Fight_for_a_Cure_for_ALS__A_Marathoners_Story.htm Fight for a Cure for ALS: A Marathoners Story]</ref><ref>[http://www.noozhawk.com/local_news/article/112909_finney_family Hal and Fran Finney Are Running for a Cause]</ref><ref>[http://www.noozhawk.com/local_news/article/101710_hal_finney_als After a Year of ALS, Reality Begins to Hit Home for Hal and Fran Finney]</ref> In March of 2013, Finney posted on a Bitcoin forum that he was essentially paralyzed, but continues to program.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=155054.msg1643833#msg1643833|title=Bitcoin and me (Hal Finney)|date=2013-03-19}}</ref> He was working on experimental software called bcflick, which uses [[Trusted Computing]] to strengthen Bitcoin wallets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=154290.msg1635481#msg1635481|title=[ANN] bcflick - using TPM's and Trusted Computing to strengthen Bitcoin wallets|date=2013-03-17}}</ref>
In October 2009, Finney announced on an essay on the blog [[Less Wrong]] that he had been diagnosed with [[Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis]] (ALS) in August 2009.<ref>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/1ab/dying_outside/ Dying Outside]</ref> Prior to his illness, Finney had been an active runner. Finney and his wife Fran Finney raised money for ALS research with the [[Santa Barbara International Marathon]].<ref>[http://www.sbimarathon.com/About_Us/Fight_for_a_Cure_for_ALS__A_Marathoners_Story.htm Fight for a Cure for ALS: A Marathoners Story]</ref><ref>[http://www.noozhawk.com/local_news/article/112909_finney_family Hal and Fran Finney Are Running for a Cause]</ref><ref>[http://www.noozhawk.com/local_news/article/101710_hal_finney_als After a Year of ALS, Reality Begins to Hit Home for Hal and Fran Finney]</ref> In March of 2013, Finney posted on a Bitcoin forum that he was essentially paralyzed, but continues to program.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=155054.msg1643833#msg1643833|title=Bitcoin and me (Hal Finney)|date=2013-03-19}}</ref> He was working on experimental software called bcflick, which uses [[Trusted Computing]] to strengthen Bitcoin wallets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=154290.msg1635481#msg1635481|title=[ANN] bcflick - using TPM's and Trusted Computing to strengthen Bitcoin wallets|date=2013-03-17}}</ref>


On August 28, 2014, Finney died and was [[Cryonics|cryopreserved]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lists.extropy.org/pipermail/extropy-chat/2014-August/082585.html|author=Max More|date=2014-08-28|title=Hal Finney being cryopreserved now}}</ref>
On August 28, 2014, Finney died and was [[Cryonics|cryopreserved]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lists.extropy.org/pipermail/extropy-chat/2014-August/082585.html|author=Max More|date=2014-08-28|title=Hal Finney being cryopreserved now}}</ref>

Revision as of 21:43, 28 August 2014

Hal Finney (May 4, 1956 – August 28, 2014) was a developer for PGP Corporation, and was the second developer hired after Phil Zimmerman. In his early career, he was credited as lead developer on several console games (Adventures of Tron, Armor Ambush, Astroblast, Space Attack).[1] He was a 1979 graduate of the California Institute of Technology, holding a BS in engineering.

Finney was also a noted cryptographic activist.[2] During the early 1990s, in addition to being a regular poster on the cypherpunks listserv, Finney ran two anonymous remailers.[3] Further cryptographic activism included running a (successful) contest to break the export-grade encryption Netscape used.[4]

In 2004, Finney created the first reusable proof of work system before Bitcoin.[citation needed][5] In January 2009, Finney was the Bitcoin network's first recipient transaction.[6]

In October 2009, Finney announced on an essay on the blog Less Wrong that he had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in August 2009.[7] Prior to his illness, Finney had been an active runner. Finney and his wife Fran Finney raised money for ALS research with the Santa Barbara International Marathon.[8][9][10] In March of 2013, Finney posted on a Bitcoin forum that he was essentially paralyzed, but continues to program.[11] He was working on experimental software called bcflick, which uses Trusted Computing to strengthen Bitcoin wallets.[12]

On August 28, 2014, Finney died and was cryopreserved.[13]

References

  1. ^ AtariAge - Programmers - Hal Finney
  2. ^ "For instance, many ACLU members do not share the generalized antipathy toward government that is a common premise of "cypherpunk" activists like Hal Finney and Tim May." David Brin, The Transparent Society ch2
  3. ^ Prospects for Remailers
  4. ^ "Give Us Some Credit: Your Card is Safe", The Washington Post, 1996
  5. ^ http://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/Here-s-The-Problem-With-The-New-Theory-That-A-4529573.php
  6. ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/01/03/hal-finney-received-the-first-bitcoin-transaction-heres-how-he-describes-it/
  7. ^ Dying Outside
  8. ^ Fight for a Cure for ALS: A Marathoners Story
  9. ^ Hal and Fran Finney Are Running for a Cause
  10. ^ After a Year of ALS, Reality Begins to Hit Home for Hal and Fran Finney
  11. ^ "Bitcoin and me (Hal Finney)". 2013-03-19.
  12. ^ "[ANN] bcflick - using TPM's and Trusted Computing to strengthen Bitcoin wallets". 2013-03-17.
  13. ^ Max More (2014-08-28). "Hal Finney being cryopreserved now".

External links

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