Richard Hamming was an American mathematician and computer scientist, best known for his work in information theory and coding. Born on July 11, 1915, he contributed significantly to the development of error-detecting and error-correcting codes, which are essential for reliable data transmission. His most famous invention, the Hamming code, is widely used in computer systems and telecommunications. Hamming also emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary research and creativity in science. He worked at Bell Labs and later became a professor at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Hamming's legacy includes the Hamming distance concept, which measures the difference between two strings of data, and his influential book, "The Art of Doing Science and Engineering."