Today I introduce you to the wonderful Grace Hopper, an American mathematician, computer scientist and naval officer. Now coding is a discipline and art that my knowledge is lacking in and working in a Technology and Innovation Centre, I really wish I knew more. This is why Grace Hopper is very much an inspiration to me.
Hopper’s career is one that is so amazing it could inspire a person with absolutely no scientific interest – if such a person exists. After gaining her PhD in maths from none other than Yale University, Grace Hopper joined the Naval Reserves during World War II. By 1944 she became a lieutenant and was one of the programmers responsible for the Harvard Mark 1. A computer so large it took up an entire room. It is amazing to think how far computer technology has come in the past years.
Grace retired 20 years later but her work was not done. She was recalled at the age of 60 and worked in the navy for a further 20 years becoming a Rear Admiral. Even more inspiring to women in science, in 1991 she became the first lady to be awarded the National Medal of Technology.
Career Highlights:
Hopper’s career is one that is so amazing it could inspire a person with absolutely no scientific interest – if such a person exists. After gaining her PhD in maths from none other than Yale University, Grace Hopper joined the Naval Reserves during World War II. By 1944 she became a lieutenant and was one of the programmers responsible for the Harvard Mark 1. A computer so large it took up an entire room. It is amazing to think how far computer technology has come in the past years.
Grace retired 20 years later but her work was not done. She was recalled at the age of 60 and worked in the navy for a further 20 years becoming a Rear Admiral. Even more inspiring to women in science, in 1991 she became the first lady to be awarded the National Medal of Technology.
Career Highlights:
Invented the first form of computer code leading to COBOL-a form of computer programming language used in finance
Popularised the term ‘bug’ for hardware or software failures
The guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper is named after her
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2016, almost 25 years after her death
I think you will agree that Grace Hopper is an inspiration not only for her amazing contribution to science but for her bravery and commitment to the Royal Navy-even in her later years. She is a true Might Woman of Science.
Very interesting I've not heard of her before but she has done alot in her career by the sound of it.
ReplyDeleteGrace Hopper is definitely a mighty woman of science - thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteInspiring woman, Thanks for that lovely post. I don't think her folks thought through her first name before naming her Grace, with the surname of Hopper. She must have had one hell of a childhood.
ReplyDeleteShe certainly was a pioneer in computer science! Amazing that she was called back at age 60 and worked another 20 years, what a long and full career.
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like a fantastic woman and very inspirational too
ReplyDeleteWow, what an inspiring woman - I think she sounds like someone we could all do with being more like :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring woman! I have to say, I'd never heard of her before reading this but it's great to hear about her achievements!
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome! I want to start learning how to code!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of her before but I am guessing she is very clever as just the word Math scares me as I am hopeless with it along with Science
ReplyDeleteI did coding in high school and i've missed it so much ever since. This might be my final nudge to get back into it!
ReplyDeletewow this is interesting. I'm actually a programmer and being a female working in technology does have a toll but gotta not let them get to you
ReplyDeleteI love it when we highlight women in science and technology. It creates powerful role models for our kids!
ReplyDeleteNot heard of her before but I could be interested to find out more in the hope it inspires me
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this person before but I will now go and read up about her. She sounds as though she had an interesting life.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of her before but I love that shes flying the flag for women in science and tech! xxx
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that a woman created code! I have been doing a coding course for women only as there need to more female figures in this field!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great series! I didn't know about Grace at all, it's fab to hear of female coders too.
ReplyDeleteI had not heard of her before but she sounds like an amazing woman. I love hearing about inspiration women who have made an impact on the world, I think there's needs to be more press about them
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of her before but what an inspiration. I agree with others - I love hearing more about women who have has a great impact on the world.
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like and amazing women I have never heard of her before but coding is a bummer to understand x
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. Thanks for informing me. Never heard of her until now.
ReplyDeleteThis woman is a legend and totally inspiring for all those girls out there who love maths.
ReplyDeleteWow she sounds like an inspirational woman!
ReplyDeleteI'd not heard of her until your post, so thank you :)
Dani x
I've not heard of this author before, but her book sounds like something that I would enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThis woman sounds like a total legend! It's a shame she wasn't recognised until 25 years after her death, but she still had an amazing life!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I'd never heard of Grace Hopper until I read this. She sounded really inspirational though :)
ReplyDeleteLouise x
Again another person I've not heard of but she sounds like an inspirational woman x
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how much more women have been doing than we realized...really great to know more about a girl worth knowing
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