Edward Fredkin

Edward Fredkin was an early pioneer of digital physics. His main contributions include his work on reversible computation and cellular automata. While Konrad Zuse's book Calculating Space (1969) mentioned the importance of reversible computation, the Fredkin gate represented the essential breakthrough.

Fredkin founded Information International Inc. and has served as the CEO of a diverse set of companies, including Information International Inc., Three Rivers Computer Corporation, New England Television Corporation (Boston's then Channel 7, the CBS affliliate) and others. His academic career includes a period as Director of the MIT's Project MAC (1971-1974), and professorships at MIT, Boston University and Carnegie Mellon University.