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Research breakthrough · curated entry

Shannon applies Boolean algebra to switching circuits

A Symbolic Analysis of Relay and Switching Circuits

Date
1938
Category
Research breakthrough
Organization / Model
MIT
Evidence
2 sources · 1 evidence family

In his MIT master's thesis Shannon proved that relay and switching circuits can be described with Boolean algebra, and gave a systematic method for simplifying them. The work joined logical operations to physical devices, the theoretical start of digital circuit design and the precondition for computers to carry symbolic reasoning.

Curator's note: Cross-checked against the AIEE paper DOI and the MIT thesis archive page; the paper was published in 1938, from a 1937 master's thesis.

Curated sources · 2

  1. Original paper · Transactions of the AIEE1938-01-01

    A Symbolic Analysis of Relay and Switching Circuits

    doi.org

  2. Original paper · MIT DSpace1938-01-01

    A Symbolic Analysis of Relay and Switching Circuits

    dspace.mit.edu

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This page is a curated static snapshot and can be cited directly. Preferred format GB/T 7714—2025 (electronic resource [EB/OL]); the other 5 styles open below, together with the machine-readable files.

GB/T 7714—2025 (electronic resource [EB/OL])

AI 纪年. 香农把布尔代数用于开关电路，数字电路获得设计方法[EB/OL]. (1938)[2026-11-03]. https://aihist.net/e/shannon-switching-1938.html.

APA 7 · American Psychological Association

AI 纪年. (1938). 香农把布尔代数用于开关电路，数字电路获得设计方法 [Web page]. https://aihist.net/e/shannon-switching-1938.html

MLA 9 · Modern Language Association

"香农把布尔代数用于开关电路，数字电路获得设计方法." AI 纪年, 1938, aihist.net/e/shannon-switching-1938.html. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

Chicago 17 · notes-bibliography

AI 纪年. "香农把布尔代数用于开关电路，数字电路获得设计方法." Published 1938. Accessed Nov. 3, 2026. https://aihist.net/e/shannon-switching-1938.html.

IEEE · citation-reference list

"香农把布尔代数用于开关电路，数字电路获得设计方法," AI 纪年, 1938. [Online]. Available: https://aihist.net/e/shannon-switching-1938.html. [Accessed: 3 Nov. 2026].

ACM · author-date variant

AI 纪年. 1938. 香农把布尔代数用于开关电路，数字电路获得设计方法. Retrieved November 3, 2026 from https://aihist.net/e/shannon-switching-1938.html.

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