Alan Turing

This English genius proves to startups that times of crisis sometimes give birth to greatness.

Alan Turing (1912–1954) is one of the fathers of Computer Science!

During World War II, Turing worked as a codebreaker for British intelligence. He devised a number of techniques that enabled the British to more quickly decode German ciphers.

Turing's contributions enabled the Allies to defeat the Nazis at many critical points in the war, including the Battle of the Atlantic. Without him, the war would certainly have gone on longer, and more lives would have been lost.

Turing is an inspiring example of the genius that can result from the worst of times. And, though we are not experiencing as extreme of a reality as a World War, startups born during hard times or undergoing challenges should look up to him.