Timeline: Marvin Minsky

1951

Created the SNARC: The First Neural Network Simulator

The SNARC is a device that used a random network of neurons that were used to simulate brain memory. It is thought of as one of the first forms of Artificial Intelligence. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo68UjlWj8Y

1955

Created the Confocal Scanning Microscope

Marvin Minsky created the Confocal Scanning Microscope. This is a device that allowed the user to focus only on what is in focus of the microscope and blacked out everything that was out of view. https://web.media.mit.edu/~minsky/papers/ConfocalMemoir.html

1960

Wrote "Steps Toward Artificial Intelligence"

Steps Toward Artificial Intelligence was a paper that outlined the past of AI. Minsky analyzed what has been developed, researched and what was understood. He then used that to help bridge the gap as to what is needed to propel AI forward in the future. https://web.media.mit.edu/~minsky/papers/steps.html

1963

First head-mounted graphical display

The head-mounted graphical display is a device that is worn on the head the projects graphics into the users eyes. Although Minsky's device was no where near as advanced as todays VR headsets, it had the same concept. His developments helped advance head-mounted graphical displays. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2020, from https://web.media.mit.edu/~minsky/minskybiog.html

1963

Concept of Binary-Tree Robotic Manipulator

(n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2020, from https://web.media.mit.edu/~minsky/minskybiog.html

1967

Serpentine Hydraulic Robot Arm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuXQPdd0hjI (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2020, from https://web.media.mit.edu/~minsky/minskybiog.html

1967

Published "Semantic Information Processing"

This book collected and analyzed experiments that were involved in developing intelligent machines. it focused on the achievements as well as the limitations of their programs. The MIT Press. (n.d.). Semantic Information Processing. Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/semantic-information-processing

1969

Published "Perceptrons"

https://www.webofstories.com/play/marvin.minsky/121;jsessionid=C98B0E6FA66D0D595C503FA2B3E8A1DC (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2020, from https://web.media.mit.edu/~minsky/minskybiog.html

1969

Received the Turing Award

Marvin Minsky received the Turing Award for his advancements and developments of the Artificial Intelligence field. The Turing Award is one of the most prestigious awards given in science and technology. Marvin Minsky. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://amturing.acm.org/award_winners/minsky_7440781.cfm

1970

The "Muse" Musical Variations Synthesizer

(n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2020, from https://web.media.mit.edu/~minsky/minskybiog.html

1972

First LOGO "turtle" device

The "turtle" device was a device that was commanded using the LOGO language that gave the device commands with simple terms that would cause it to move in basic directions. https://theconversation.com/this-little-known-pioneering-educator-put-coding-in-the-classroom-63971 Seymour Papert, Logo Turtles, and the Origin of Educational Robots. (2019, October 21). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://news.elearninginside.com/seymour-papert-logo-turtles-and-the-origin-of-educational-robots/

1974

Wrote "A Framework for Representing Knowledge"

"A Framework For Representing Knowledge" is a paper that explains an idea Minsky has, called the Theory of Frames which summarizes two things; situations can be represented by slot filling values and many slots can be filled with descriptions in a class hierarchy. https://web.media.mit.edu/~minsky/papers/Frames/frames.html Marvin Minsky. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://amturing.acm.org/award_winners/minsky_7440781.cfm

1987

Published "The Society of Mind"

The book "The Society of Mind" expresses the mind as a "society" of small components that are mindless themselves. He develops this idea as "The Society of Mind" is an intellectual puzzle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLNUSrkW9-8 The Society of Mind by Marvin Minsky. (1988, March 15). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/326790.The_Society_of_Mind

1992

Published "The Turing Option"

The Turing Option is a science fiction book written by Minsky and Harry Harrison. The main characters are geniuses that develop machines that are capable of spontaneous thought. The Turing Option by Harry Harrison. (1993, October 01). Retrieved November 15, 2020, from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1807642.The_Turing_Option