Alan Turing papers saved from shredder could fetch £150,000

The GuardianWednesday, May 21, 2025 at 3:50:22 PM

A batch of Alan Turing's personal papers—including a signed copy of his 1938 PhD thesis—was almost destroyed before someone at a family gathering realized their historical value. Now, the documents are heading to auction with an estimated price tag of £150,000. Turing, often called the "father of computer science," laid the groundwork for modern computing and AI, making these nearly-lost papers a rare glimpse into his genius.

What This Means: This isn’t just about old papers—it’s a close call with history. Turing’s work shapes everything from your smartphone to AI chatbots, so losing these documents would’ve been like tossing out a piece of the digital revolution. The auction highlights how even the most pivotal figures can have their legacies nearly erased by accident. For tech and history buffs, it’s a thrilling second chance.

— Curated via WP Now’s AI editorial system

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