The History of Women in Technology

Embark on a captivating journey through the history of computing in this 41-minute conference talk from Strange Loop 2013. Discover the remarkable contributions of women who have been instrumental in advancing the computing industry, from general programming to documentation and compiler innovations. Meet inspiring figures such as Ada Byron, the founder of Scientific Computing, and Grace Murray Hopper, the mother of COBOL. Learn about the ENIAC crew, including Kay McNulty, Betty Jean Jennings, Betty Snyder, Marlyn Mescoff, Fran Bilas, and Ruth Lichterman. Explore the achievements of Adele Goldstine, who wrote the operators manual for the ENIAC, and Frances Allen, the first female to win the Turing award. Gain insights into the work of Mary Lou Jepsen, founder and CTO of One Laptop Per Child, and Barbara Liskov, known for the Liskov substitution principle. Presented by Sarah Dutkiewicz, a seasoned technology professional with over a decade of experience in various tech roles, this talk offers a comprehensive look at the often-overlooked female pioneers who have shaped the computing industry into what it is today.