Google Doodle – Grace Hopper

I feel that we have failed as a community since today’s Google Doodle is the first time I’ve ever heard of Grace Hopper and I’ve been in the computer field for decades. For one of the key players on the Univac machine, the inventor of the first compiler and founder of the language COBOL, not to mention a holder of a PhD in Mathematics (and one of the only women during 1930’s to hold one) and Rear Admiral, I feel slightly cheated to not know anything about this rather "amazing" woman.

And I’m not the only one. None of the people I work with in the computer field knew who she was or her significant contributions to our field. That saddens me. How is it that such a remarkable woman, who had such a major impact on how we live our lives today has gone so unnoticed? Perhaps Google felt the same way and took the time to make more of us aware of her significance.

Hopefully like many others I spent a great deal of time reading through her Wikipedia entry, YouTube videos and several articles I found. I also spent time looking through what Amazon has to offer. I feel compelled to learn more as her biography seems absolutely fascinating.

There is no doubt that Jobs, Gates and all the others have made a significant impact, but let’s not forget where it all started. Today we build on what came before. Today we innovate. When Grace Hopper hit the scene, she was creating. The computers we have and the languages we used as because of pioneers like her.

Thanks to Google for educating us.

Grace Hopper on Wikipedia

Made with 100% recycled electrons.

Author Signature for Posts

Tags :

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.