When we refer to technological inventions, the first names that come to mind are Leonardo da Vinci, Alexander Graham Bell, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, among many others, all of them men. But we don't know what role women have played here, what inventions they have made and that without them, life would not be the same today.
We would be surprised if we knew each and every one of them, and how condemned to oblivion and almost invisible women in science have been a very important pillar in the evolution of technology. The following women pioneers in technology have made important technological advances.
Ada Lovelace
Ada Lovelace (1815-1852) wrote the first algorithm in history and is considered the mother of programming. She was fellow of Charles Babbage, creator of the first digital computer. Lovelace developed a language for writing algorithms of the machine her mentor was created. Like many other women, she had to sign her name an acronym for fear of censorship.
Edith Clarke
Edith Clarke (1883-1959) in addition to patenting a graphing calculator that solved electrical transmission problems was the first electrical engineer in the USA an also the first professor of electrical engineering at the University of Texas, Austin.
Hedwig Eva Maria Kielser
Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler (1914-2000) was not only known as a beautiful Hollywood actress, but also as an inventor. Hedy Lamarr, as she is also known, created a wireless missile system that inspired wifi. Lamarr is our inspiration. Without her there would be no Hedyla.
Top Secret Rosies
Did you know that the first electronic computer was programmed by a group of six American mathematicians? The group was created in 1942 and was called Top Secret Rosies. The six women were hired by the US Army and consisted of Betty Snyder Holberton, Jean Jennings Bartik, Kathleen McNulty Antonelly, Marlyn Wescoff Meltzer, Ruth Lichteman Teitelbaum and Frances Bilas Spence.
Joan Clarke
Joan Clarke (1917-1996) was the only woman to be part of the Enigma project team under the tutelage of mathematician Alan Turing. This project decrypted the secret communications that defeated Nazi German in World War II.
Ángela Ruiz Robles
Ángela Ruiz Robles (1905-1977) was a great Spanish inventor and developed the mechanical encyclopaedia, what we now call the 'e-book'.
The role of women in the world of technology is still on the rise, but there is still a long way to go
Mary Kenneth Keller
Mary Kenneth Keller (1914-1985) considered one the mothers of technology, was the first woman to receive a doctorate in computer science, along with Irving Tang, who received his doctorate on the same day.
Margaret Hamilton
Margaret Hamilton (1936) was the head of the Software Engineering Division of the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory. There they developed the software that allowed Apollo 11 to 'fly'. Hamilton coined the term 'software engineering', as until then only hardware had mattered.
Otras mujeres pioneras en tecnología
The list of women pioneering inventions in technology doesn't end here. We also have Evelyn Berecin, Erna Scheneider Hoover, Frances Allen and Carol Shaw, the latter being the first video designer.
These women and many others are an example for today's young women and girls who dream of becoming inventors. They have shown us that gender does not matter when it comes to making great contributions to humanity in the field of technology.
Communications & Marketing Responsible at Hedyla
Multimedia Technical Engineer. Working 11 years in the Audiovisual and Communication Department of a multinational company. Responsible for the Marketing and Communication Department in several companies in the technology sector.
Designing digital strategies. Innovating and adding value to communication.
