History of Women and Computers

Posted on 05/01/2018 by Jonathan O'Brien

Computers have been a huge part of our everyday lives. We use them in schools, at home and in the workplace. We use them for business purposes as well as for pleasure. For most of us, we imagine that computers have existed forever, and can't think of a world without using these machines daily. However, there was a time when computers did not exist, and we recognize the people involved in creating and developing the computers that we now know and love to use.

• History of Computers
• The History of Computing
• An Illustrated History of Computers
• Timeline of Computer History

Since the beginning of computers and the work of Charles Babbage, women have played an important role in the history of computing. Over the years women such as Ada Lovelace, who was a mathematician that assisted Babbage in his work, Grace Hopper, who was one of the first computer programmers and many others have helped in the advancement of computers, computing, programming and other areas. It is important to recognize the achievements of these women and others in the world of computers.

• The Association for Women in Computers
• The Forgotten Female Computer Programmers

Here are some websites that provide more information on some of the great women in computers:

Ada Lovelace

• Ada Lovelace: The Founder of Scientific Computing
• Information on Ada Lovelace
• Biography of Ada Bryon Lovelace

Grace Hopper

• The Story of Dr. Grace Murray Hopper
• Grace Hopper and COBOL Computing Language

Women Programmers of ENIAC

• The Famous Women Programmers of ENIAC
• Remembering the Female Pioneers of Programming
• The First Computer Programming of ENIAC
• AutoCAD Training Classes

Adele Goldstine

• Adele Katz Goldstine Biography
• Biography of Adele Goldstine
• Facts About Adele Goldstine

Radia Perlman

• The Many Sides of Radia Perlman
• Internet Hall of Fame Perlman Biography
• Mother of the Internet?

Anita Borg

• Women Who Inspire Us: Anita Borg
• Trailblazer for Women in the Computer Field
• Anita Borg Biography

Eva Tardos

• Eva Tardos and Computers
• Computational Mathematics

Jean Sammet

• National Center for Women and Information Technology
• Jean Sammet: Programming Language Contributer

Women have played a vital role in the development of the computer. Today we must continue to encourage girls and women to become involved in the computer industry. The work they do today, may be important in the future of computer, like the pioneers of computers like Lovelace, Hopper and others.