Shakuntala Devi- The Human computer
Shakuntala Devi, a performer, a mathematician, and author on the topic of homosexuality, was a colorful character in India.
It was a live BBC session in London. The host asked a mathematical question posed by a computer to an Indian lady. The Indian lady replied that the question is wrong. No one believed her. BBC later verified the fact and found that indeed the computer had posed a wrong question. This incident got the lady the name Human-Computer, and she was Shakuntala Devi.
Early Life:
Shakuntala Devi was born in Mysore, India, to a rebellious family. Her father left his job as a temple priest and became a circus performer. From a young age, her father saw Shakuntala Devi’s talent in memorizing numbers and cards. She displayed her mathematical abilities at the age of 6 at the University of Mysore. Shakuntala wanted to study more on mathematics. Instead, like the famous musician Mozart’s father, her father took her on a trip across the world. The tours took a toll on her, and she decided to become a nun. Her pious life lasted only a week.
