John Chowning is a renowned computer scientist and inventor, best known for developing the FM (Frequency Modulation) synthesis algorithm. Born in 1934 in the United States, Chowning received his Ph.D. in music theory from the University of California, Berkeley. He then joined Stanford University's Computer Science Department, where he developed the FM synthesis algorithm in the 1970s. The algorithm uses frequency modulation to generate sound, allowing for the creation of complex and rich timbres. Chowning's invention had a significant impact on the development of digital audio technology, and he is widely recognized as one of the pioneers in the field. He has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music and computer science, including a National Academy of Engineering's Draper Prize.

Archaeologists have discovered a fragment of the world's oldest known peace treaty in Turkey, dating back around 3,200 years. The treaty was between the Hittite king Hattusili III and the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II. It was inscribed on a clay tablet and features a treaty between the two leaders, outlining the terms of a peace agreement. The tablet is significant because it predates the famous Treaty of Versailles by over 3,000 years. The discovery was made by a team of archaeologists from the University of California, Berkeley, who were excavating a site in the archaeological reserve of Boǧazkale in central Turkey. The team used a combination of manual excavation and geophysical surveys to locate the fragment.