Grace Hopper

Grace Hopper

Grace Hopper is computing pioneer and created the first compiler. A compiler translates human-readable programming language into machine code.

Before her, no one believed a computer could understand English-like text. The prevailing thought at the time was that computers could only do arithmetic and humans would have to learn machine code to interact with them.

Her compiler led to the creation of COBOL, the first standardized programming language for business purposes.

The motivation behind her work was to always make computers easier for humans. She knew that computers would become ubiquitous and wanted them to be available to everyone.

She spoke and taught throughout her life, advocating for adoption of standardized programming languages (like COBOL) and educating people about computers. She believed her biggest accomplishment was training and encouraging young people, not her foundational innovations in computing.

"The most important thing I've accomplished, other than building the compiler is training young people. They come to me, you know, and say, 'Do you think we can do this?' I say, 'Try it.' And I back 'em up. They need that. I keep track of them as they get older and I stir 'em up at intervals so they don't forget to take chances."