November 3, 2024

Hankering for History

Hanker: To have a strong, often restless desire, in this case for–you guessed it–history!

The Life and Times of Admiral Grace Murray Hopper

2 min read
Grace-Hopper

Grace Hopper

Admiral Grace Murray Hopper has made a lasting contribution to the many industries in which she worked.

From the start of her 60 year career, Hopper displayed the work ethic, smarts and ability to accomplish some of the most important feats in the history of the Navy and computing industry.

Storagepipe Solutions highlights Hopper’s many contributions to these fields in the below infographic, “The Life of Admiral Grace Murray Hopper.”

Hopper was integral to the development of one of the most important pieces of technology in America: Computers.

In 1944, Hopper helped to build Mark I, the first computer in America, at Harvard. Hopper also worked on Mark II and UNIVAC I – the first computer produced for commercial use. It was these projects that led Hopper to develop a crucial software system which changed complex source code into binary code. In 1959, she helped to create the easy to use programming language for business applications.  

Hopper and her team also solved an equation for the Manhattan Project in under three months which would make the atomic bomb function.

It’s clear that Hopper has been essential in both the world of computing and the military. She retired from the Navy a decorated officer, with a total of eight military awards including: Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and more.

Her contribution is honored each October in the Grace Hopper Celebration conference. As well, a military academy building named in her honor, Hopper Hall, is set to be complete in 2019.

Hopper’s inspiring life make her an important historical figure to remember, for not only her contributions to her industry and country, but also as an example of the role women have played and continue to play in tech and the military.

Check out the below infographic to learn more.

Admiral-Grace-Murray-Hopper

Make sure and check out Hankering for History’s other content on Admiral Grace Hopper!