[For my daughter Trinity – and my mother Katrina]
“Back from Princeton, Allan?”
“Yes I finally finished off that PhD.”
“About what Lady Ada talked about? The Analytical Engine weaves algebraic patterns just as the Jacquard loom weaves flowers and leaves.“
“Well – just the theory – I proved it was possible, mathematically.”
“It’s time for you to step up for your country Allan.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Come and join us at Bletchley Park. If you play it smart, we might even get to build your machine!”
“I don’t know. Helping out the Dogs of War? Haven’t we all had enough of conflict?”
“The ideas in your PhD will be famous! They’ll call it, the Turing Machine. It will inspire a hundred years of calculating machines!”
“Well I suppose it is my duty.”