Claude Shannon

Question 1

Who is considered the ‘father of information theory’?

Answer 1

Claude Shannon.

Question 2

What was Claude Shannon’s most famous paper?

Answer 2

‘A Mathematical Theory of Communication’ published in 1948.

Question 3

Shannon’s 1948 paper established which field?

Answer 3

Information theory.

Question 4

Fill in the blank: Claude Shannon is best known for laying the foundation of _____ communication.

Answer 4

digital communication.

Question 5

What two fields did Claude Shannon have degrees in from the University of Michigan?

Answer 5

Electrical engineering and mathematics.

Question 6

What breakthrough concept did Shannon apply to electrical circuits?

Answer 6

Boolean algebra.

Question 7

Fill in the blank: The basic unit of information introduced by Shannon is called a _____.

Answer 7

bit.

Question 8

What theorem is Claude Shannon known for regarding data transmission?

Answer 8

Shannon’s Theorem.

Question 9

During which global conflict did Shannon contribute to cryptography?

Answer 9

World War II.

Question 10

Explain Shannon’s Theorem.

Answer 10

It describes the maximum rate at which data can be transmitted over a channel without error.

Question 11

What innovation did Shannon contribute to that is used in data storage and communication systems like CDs and the internet?

Answer 11

Error-correcting codes.

Question 12

What was the primary focus of Shannon’s 1948 paper, ‘A Mathematical Theory of Communication’?

Answer 12

Quantifying information and providing a framework for data transmission, encoding, and compression.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: Claude Shannon contributed to the field of _____ during World War II, focusing on secure communication systems.

Answer 13

cryptography.

Question 14

What did Shannon’s work on Boolean algebra demonstrate regarding electrical circuits?

Answer 14

That circuits could be used to perform logical operations, which is foundational for digital computing.

Question 15

How did Claude Shannon’s ideas influence the digital revolution?

Answer 15

His work laid the groundwork for telecommunications, data compression, and modern computing systems.

Question 16

Name one modern technology that relies on Shannon’s work in information theory.

Answer 16

The internet, smartphones, MP3s, or JPEGs.

Question 17

How are Shannon’s contributions recognized today?

Answer 17

He is honored with numerous awards, conferences, and buildings named after him, and his theories are central to modern communication and computing.

Question 18

What is one of the biggest challenges Shannon faced in the early reception of his work?

Answer 18

Many engineers found his information theory paper too abstract initially.

Question 19

Fill in the blank: Claude Shannon developed a mechanical mouse named _____ that could navigate a maze, an early example of artificial intelligence.

Answer 19

Theseus.

Question 20

What unusual hobby did Claude Shannon enjoy that involved juggling?

Answer 20

He built a juggling robot and also loved juggling himself.

Question 21

What machine did Shannon build just for fun that could solve a popular puzzle?

Answer 21

A machine that could solve a Rubik’s Cube.

Question 22

What was Claude Shannon known to ride around the halls of Bell Labs while juggling?

Answer 22

A unicycle.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: Claude Shannon is remembered for his playful approach to problem-solving and once built a machine called the ‘ultimate toy,’ which solved the _____ _____.

Answer 23

Rubik’s Cube.