An Algebra for Theoretical Genetics is a 1940Ph.D. thesis at MIT produced by Claude Elwood Shannon. Elements of this work are considered the foundation of practical digital circuit design. The research and thesis was produced at the suggestion of Vannevar Bush. He suggested that Shannon work on his dissertation at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, funded by the Carnegie Institution headed by Bush, to develop similar mathematical relationships for Mendeliangenetics.
In earlier research relating to his master's thesis, Shannon proved that Boolean algebra and binary arithmetic could be used to simplify the arrangement of the electromechanical relays, then turned the concept upside down and also demonstrated that it should be possible to use arrangements of relays to solve Boolean algebra problems. Exploiting this property of electrical switches to do logic is the basic concept that underlies all electronic digital computers.
Shannon then joined Bell Labs to work on fire-control systems and cryptography during World War II. He returned to MIT to hold an endowed chair in 1956.
References
C. E. Shannon, An algebra for theoretical genetics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ph.D. Thesis, MIT-THESES//1940-3 (1940)
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