this post was submitted on 27 Aug 2025
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History Memes

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[โ€“] PugJesus@lemmy.world 162 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (27 children)

Explanation: One of the key scientists in the construction of early codebreaking computers in WW2 was Alan Turing (yes, of Turing Test fame), a gay man. While it was not immediately after WW2, in the 1950s, he inadvertently admitted to a cop that he was homosexual when being interviewed about a burglary at his house (cops, even on the occasions they are useful, are NOT your friends). His key work in defeating the literal fucking Nazis was disregarded in favor of chemically castrating him after he pled guilty to the charge.

It is suspected that this was a major cause of his subsequent suspected suicide by biting into a cyanide-laced apple (though some still hold that the apple incident was an accident).

[โ€“] gedhrel@lemmy.world 8 points 3 weeks ago

It wasn't disregarded; it was never mentioned because it was still a state secret.

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