Christopher Evans (computer scientist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christopher Riche Evans
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| Born | 29 May 1931 |
| Died | (aged 48) |
| Nationality | British |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom |
| Alma mater | University College London, University of Reading |
| Known for | Pioneers of Computing recordings (1970s); The Mighty Micro (1979 book and TV series) |
| Children | 2 |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Computer science, psychology |
| Institutions | Royal Air Force, Duke University, University of Reading, National Physical Laboratory |
Christopher Riche Evans (born May 29, 1931 – died October 10, 1979) was a smart British expert. He was a psychologist, a computer scientist, and a writer. He is best known for predicting how computers would change the world.
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About Christopher Evans
Christopher Evans was born in Aberdyfi, Wales, in 1931. He grew up in Wales and went to Christ College, Brecon. After school, he served in the Royal Air Force for two years.
Later, he worked as a science writer. In 1957, he started studying psychology at University College London. He graduated with honors in 1960. He then went to Duke University in the US, where he met his wife, Nancy.
After that, he worked at the University of Reading. There, he studied how our eyes move. He earned his PhD and then joined the National Physical Laboratory in 1964. He worked there until he passed away in 1979. Christopher had two children, Christopher Samuel and Victoria.
His Amazing Work
Christopher Evans was very interested in the future of computers.
Predicting the Computer Revolution
In 1979, Christopher Evans wrote an important book called The Mighty Micro: The Impact of the Computer Revolution. In this book, he made predictions about how small computers, called microcomputers, would change our lives by the year 2000. This book was also published in the US as The Micro Millennium.
After the book came out, he created a six-part TV series based on it. He presented the show himself. It was shown on TV after he passed away.
Other Books and Projects
Christopher Evans wrote other interesting books too. One was Cults of Unreason, which looked at different belief systems. Another was Landscapes of the Night: How and Why We Dream, about dreams.
In the 1970s, he interviewed many people who were pioneers in computing. These interviews were released as audio tapes called Pioneers of Computing. You can still find them at the Science Museum in London.
He also edited several other books. These included collections of science fiction stories and a dictionary about psychology. He was also an editor for the science magazine Omni. Christopher loved flying planes and even edited a yearly diary for pilots.
Working with J.G. Ballard
Christopher Evans was good friends with the writer J. G. Ballard. They worked together on ideas for a play about car crashes. This led to an art exhibition and later inspired Ballard's novel, Crash. Christopher's unique personality even inspired a character in Ballard's book.
TV Advisor
During the 1970s, Christopher Evans was a science advisor for a popular British TV show called The Tomorrow People. This show was about young people with special powers.
Christopher Evans passed away in 1979 at the age of 48. This was shortly after his book The Mighty Micro was published and before his TV series aired.
Selected Books
- Cults of Unreason
- The Mighty Micro
