Solomon Golomb

Updated: 12/30/2019 by Computer Hope
Solomon Golomb

Name: Solomon Wolf Golomb

Born: May 30, 1932, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Death: May 1, 2016 (Age: 83)

Computer-related contributions

  • American engineer, mathematician, and professor of electrical engineering at the University of Southern California.
  • Known for his development of mathematical games.
  • Created the mathematical game "Cheskers" and coined it's name (1948).
  • Explained polyominoes and pentominoes (1953), which are the inspiration for the computer game Tetris.
  • Pioneered the identification of the characteristics and merits of maximum length shift register sequences, also known as pseudorandoms (used with cellular phones).
  • Schooled in problems of number theory, combinatorial analysis, coding theory, and communications.

Significant publications

  • Signal Design for Good Correlation: For Wireless Communication, Cryptography, and Radar (2005).
  • Polyominoes: Puzzles, Patterns, Problems, and Packings (1996).
  • Basic Concepts in Information Theory and Coding: The Adventures of Secret Agent 00111 (1994).
  • Shift Register Sequences (1981).
  • Polyominoes the Fascinating New Recreation in Mathematics (1965).

Honors and awards

  • Fellow of the American Mathematical Society (2012).
  • National Medal of Science (2011).
  • IEEE Richard W. Hamming Medal (2000).
  • Medal of the U.S. National Security Agency (1992).