On: People that worked on the same idea for decades

[jll29]

Software

Richard Stallman: GCC and Emacs - both massive pro?ects and still going strong.

Linus Torvalds: Linux OS kernel

Science

Geoffrey Hinton: scaling neural networks

Books

Donald E. Knuth: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (vol 4c of 12)

Buildings

misc. architects and builders: (most) cathedrals (Cologne, Barcelona, ...)

[WCSTombs → jll29]

Knuth didn't write SICP, it's by Abelson, Sussman, and Sussman.

[phkahler → WCSTombs]

Knuth wrote TAOCP.

[defrost → phkahler]

Knuth is writing TAOCP.

[glimshe → defrost]

Knuth will likely not finish writing TAOCP. :(