Who is Grace Hopper? Meet the Queen of Code

Summary

Grace Hopper, known as the 'Queen of Code,' was a trailblazer in the field of computer science. Born in 1906, she graduated with degrees in math and physics and earned a Ph.D. from Yale. Hopper's innovative work on the Harvard Mark I led to the creation of the first compiler, revolutionizing programming languages. As a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, she championed the use of plain English in programming, making computers more accessible. Her contributions to the UNIVAC I and the development of COBOL laid the foundation for modern computing, and she continued to inspire through teaching until her death in 1992.

Takeaways

• 👩‍💻 Grace Hopper is celebrated as the 'Queen of Code' for her pioneering work in computer programming and her significant contributions to the field.
• 🎓 She graduated from Vassar with a degree in math and physics and later earned a PhD in math from Yale, which was a rare achievement for a woman at the time.
• 🛠 Hopper's early curiosity and aptitude for understanding how things worked led her to a career in mathematics and eventually to the military, where she worked on decoding enemy communications.
• 🔍 While working with the Harvard Mark I, she was tasked with documenting its operation, resulting in what is considered the world's first computer programming manual.
• 🐛 Hopper is credited with coining the term 'debugging' in computing after physically removing a moth from a relay, which was logged as 'first actual bug'.
• 💻 She transitioned to the corporate world, joining the team developing the UNIVAC I, another historically significant computer.
• 🔢 Hopper is known for creating the world's first compiler, which translated high-level programming languages into binary, revolutionizing how humans interacted with computers.
• 📘 Her work led to the development of compiler-based programming languages like FLOW-MATIC, which was pivotal in the creation of COBOL, a popular language for data processing.
• 🌐 Hopper foresaw a future where everyone would be able to use and interact with computers, advocating for accessible programming for all.
• 💼 Despite her technical accomplishments, she found her greatest joy in teaching and continued to educate others about computers throughout her life.

Q & A

Who is Grace Hopper and why is she known as the 'Queen of Code'?

Grace Hopper was a pioneering computer scientist who invented the first compiler, pioneered programming languages, and was one of the first programmers of one of the earliest digital computers. She is known as the 'Queen of Code' due to her significant contributions to the field of computer science.

What was Grace Hopper's early life like, and how did she become interested in science?

Grace Hopper was born in New York City in 1906. As a child, she was known for taking things apart to see how they worked. Her father supported her interest in science and ensured she received the same education as her brother.

What educational background did Grace Hopper have?

Grace Hopper graduated from Vassar with a degree in math and physics, and then earned a Ph.D. in math from Yale, which was a rare achievement at the time.

How did Grace Hopper's teaching approach differ from the norm?

Hopper pushed her students to not just perform calculations but to explain math using words, translating mathematical equations into ordinary English.

Why did Grace Hopper join the U.S. Navy?

At the age of 36, with World War II in full swing, Grace Hopper quit her teaching position, divorced her husband, and joined the U.S. Navy to contribute to the war effort.

What was the Harvard Mark I, and how was Grace Hopper involved with it?

The Harvard Mark I was an early digital computer. Grace Hopper was assigned to work with it, and she documented how to work with it, writing what can be seen as the world's first computer programming manual.

What is the significance of the term 'debugging' in computing, and how did Grace Hopper contribute to its popularization?

Grace Hopper coined and popularized the term 'debugging' when she found an actual moth causing a malfunction in the Harvard Mark II, marking the first recorded computer 'bug'.

What is a compiler, and how did Grace Hopper contribute to its development?

A compiler is a program that translates high-level programming languages into binary language that a computer can understand. Grace Hopper developed what is considered the world's first compiler, which allowed people to program using words instead of just numbers.

What was UNIVAC I, and how was Grace Hopper involved in its development?

UNIVAC I was a historically important computer developed for commercial use. Grace Hopper joined the team developing it, and her work on compilers and programming languages was pivotal in its creation.

What was Grace Hopper's role in the creation of COBOL?

Grace Hopper's work on compilers and programming languages, including the creation of FLOW-MATIC, was instrumental in the development of COBOL, a popular language for data processors.

How did Grace Hopper's career progress in the U.S. Navy?

Grace Hopper's career in the U.S. Navy progressed steadily, and she eventually became a Rear Admiral, a high rank in the military.

What did Grace Hopper do after her retirement, and what did she consider her greatest joy?

After retiring from the U.S. Navy, Grace Hopper continued to teach and give lectures. She said that her greatest joy came from teaching and sharing her knowledge.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Pioneering the World of Computing: Grace Hopper

Grace Hopper, known as the 'Queen of Code,' was a trailblazer in the field of computer science. Born in New York City in 1906, she was a curious child who took apart objects to understand their workings. Her supportive parents, particularly her father, ensured she received a quality education. Hopper graduated from Vassar with a degree in math and physics and later earned a Ph.D. in math from Yale, a significant achievement for her time. She began her career as a mathematics teacher, encouraging her students to explain math concepts in words, a practice she continued throughout her life. During World War II, Hopper joined the U.S. Navy and worked on the Harvard Mark 1, one of the earliest digital computers. She documented its operation in a 500-page manual, effectively creating the world's first computer programming manual. Hopper also coined the term 'debugging' after physically removing a moth from the computer, marking the first recorded computer bug. Her work on compilers and high-level programming languages revolutionized how humans interact with computers, making it more intuitive and less reliant on numerical codes.

05:02

🌟 Grace Hopper: Visionary and Educator

Grace Hopper was not only a pioneer in computer programming but also a visionary who foresaw a future where everyone could use and program computers. Recognized as the first programmer in the modern sense and a significant figure in the history of computing, Hopper's contributions extended beyond her technical achievements. She believed in the democratization of computer use and programming, advocating for accessibility in technology. Despite her numerous accomplishments, Hopper found her greatest joy in teaching and continued to educate and inspire others even after her retirement from the Navy, where she rose to the rank of Rear Admiral. Her legacy in computer science is marked by her innovative work and her dedication to education, which she pursued until her death in 1992.

Keywords

💡Grace Hopper

Grace Hopper, also known as the 'Queen of Code,' was a pioneering computer scientist and U.S. Navy rear admiral. She is celebrated for her significant contributions to the field of computer programming, including the invention of the first compiler and the development of programming languages. The video script highlights her as a trailblazer, emphasizing her role in making computers more accessible and understandable through the use of compilers and high-level programming languages.

💡Compiler

A compiler is a type of computer program that translates code written in a high-level programming language into machine code that a computer's processor can execute. In the script, Grace Hopper is credited with inventing the first compiler, which revolutionized programming by allowing developers to write in more human-readable languages rather than just binary code. This innovation is central to the video's theme of making computing more accessible.

💡Harvard Mark I

The Harvard Mark I, also known as the IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator, was one of the early electromechanical computers. In the video, Grace Hopper is depicted as working with the Harvard Mark I, highlighting her involvement with one of the earliest digital computers. This machine's significance in the script underscores the historical context of Hopper's work and the technological limitations of the time.

💡Debugging

Debugging refers to the process of identifying and removing errors or 'bugs' from a computer program. The script recounts a famous incident where Hopper and her team found a moth inside a relay of the Harvard Mark II, which they jokingly referred to as 'debugging' the system. This term has since become a standard part of computing vernacular and is a key concept in the video's narrative about the early days of computer programming.

💡UNIVAC I

The UNIVAC I, short for Universal Automatic Computer I, was one of the first commercial computers and a significant milestone in the history of computing. In the script, Grace Hopper's work with the UNIVAC I team is mentioned, illustrating her continued involvement in the development of important computing technologies and her role in advancing the field.

💡Programming Languages

Programming languages are formal languages comprising a set of instructions used to program computers to perform tasks. The video emphasizes Hopper's work on developing the first compiler, which facilitated the creation of high-level programming languages. These languages allowed programmers to write in a more abstract and human-like manner, making the process more intuitive and less error-prone.

💡Rear Admiral

A rear admiral is a high-ranking officer in the United States Navy, just below that of a vice admiral. The script mentions Grace Hopper's rank of rear admiral, which not only signifies her military service but also underscores her leadership and authority in both the military and the field of computer science.

💡Vassar College

Vassar College is a liberal arts college in New York known for its strong academic programs. The script notes that Grace Hopper graduated from Vassar with a degree in math and physics, highlighting her educational background and the foundation of her expertise in mathematics, which was crucial to her later work in computer science.

💡Yale University

Yale University is an Ivy League research university renowned for its academic excellence. According to the script, Grace Hopper earned her Ph.D. in mathematics from Yale, which was a rare achievement for a woman at the time. This detail from the script emphasizes her intellectual prowess and the rigorous academic training she received.

💡COBOL

COBOL, an acronym for COmmon Business-Oriented Language, is a high-level programming language designed for business and finance applications. The script mentions COBOL in relation to Hopper's work on programming languages, indicating her influence on the development of languages that are still in use today, particularly in data processing and business computing.

💡Teaching

Teaching is a profession focused on imparting knowledge and skills to others. The video script highlights Grace Hopper's joy in teaching and her belief in the importance of education. It shows her dedication to not only advancing technology but also to educating others, which is a recurring theme that underscores her commitment to shaping future generations of computer scientists.

Highlights

Grace Hopper is known as the 'Queen of Code' for her pioneering work in computer programming.

Hopper invented the first compiler, a tool essential for translating programming languages.

She was one of the first programmers of the Harvard Mark 1, one of the earliest digital computers.

Grace Hopper served as a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, showcasing her leadership in both military and technological fields.

Born in New York City in 1906, Hopper was known for her curiosity and拆卸 things apart to understand how they worked.

She received strong support from her parents, especially her father, who believed in equal education for his children.

Hopper graduated from Vassar with a degree in math and physics and earned a Ph.D. in math from Yale.

As a mathematics teacher, she encouraged her students to explain math in words, not just perform calculations.

At the age of 36, Hopper joined the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II, contributing to the war effort with her technical skills.

She was assigned to work with the Harvard Mark 1, a massive machine with limited capabilities by today's standards.

Hopper wrote a 500-page manual for the Harvard Mark 1, which is considered the world's first computer programming manual.

She coined the term 'debugging' after finding a moth in a relay of the Mark II, which is now a common term in computing.

Hopper worked on the UNIVAC I, contributing to the development of historically significant computers.

She developed the world's first compiler, which allowed for the translation of high-level languages into binary.

Hopper believed that computers should be able to understand human language, which was a revolutionary idea at the time.

Her work led to the creation of FLOW-MATIC, which was pivotal in the development of the COBOL programming language.

Grace Hopper is regarded as the first programmer in the modern sense and a significant figure in the history of computing.

She foresaw a future where everyone would be able to use and program computers, advocating for widespread computer literacy.

Throughout her career, Hopper continued to rise in rank in the Navy, eventually becoming a Rear Admiral.

Even after retiring from the Navy, Hopper remained active in teaching and lecturing until her death in 1992.

Grace Hopper found her greatest joy in teaching, emphasizing the importance of education in her life and work.

Transcripts

throughout history

there have been a lot of queens queens

of countries queens of music

but there is only one queen of code and

that is grace hopper

popper invented the first compiler

pioneered programming languages

and she was one of the first programmers

of one of the earliest digital computers

oh and she was a u.s navy rear admiral

probably the most dangerous phrase you

can ever use in a computer environment

is that dreadful one

but we've always done it that way hopper

was born in new york city in 1906.

as a child she was known to take things

apart to see how they worked

she had the support of her parents her

father

especially who even way back then

understood the importance that his

daughters had the same education

that his son was going to have so she

went to college

she went on to graduate from vassar with

a degree in math and physics

then she went to yale and earned a phd

in math

which was a rare achievement at the time

after graduation

hopper began a career as a college

mathematics teacher

going against the mold she pushed her

students to not just perform

calculations

but to explain math using words the

tendency of translating mathematical

equations

into ordinary english would accompany

her for the rest of her life

after teaching maths for nearly a decade

grace was ready for something more

she took time off work to study with the

noted mathematician richard coront

shortly after the second great war began

and we were the leading example of that

free world that hitler was committed

to breaking asunder at the age of 36 she

quit her teaching position

divorced her husband and joined the

naval army

with the war in full swing the military

commandeered a lot of technology

to crack enemy communications or help

the war efforts

among those was the harvard mark 1 which

hopper was assigned to work with

mach 1 was all 51 feet long 8 feet high

8 feet deep had all of 72 words in it

could do three editions every second

seems pitiful today

because put about five six ten mark ones

on one chip

until the 1950s there were only maybe

half a dozen

electronic computers in the world the

point is for

all you young people is that

until about 40 years ago nobody would

have known much about computers

she had to translate real world problems

into mathematical equations

and then translate those equations into

commands the computer could understand

how did you know so much about computers

then i didn't

how did the first one yeah uh also

working on the harvard mark 1

was howard aiken who was the mastermind

behind the computer

however he wasn't a fan of having a

woman among his officers

still at one point he gave hopper the

task of documenting how to work with the

harvard mark one

she took her task very seriously writing

a 500 page tome which can be seen as the

world's first

computer programming manual after that

it can soon made hopper his primary

programmer

and top deputy oh and fun fact

during this time hopper coined and

popularized the use of the term

debugging in relation to computing

mark ii stopped we finally located the

failing relay it was one of the big

signal relays

and inside the relay beaten to death by

the relay contacts was a moth about this

big

so the operator got a pair of tweezers

and very carefully fished the moth out

of the relay

put it in the log book put scotch tape

over it

and below it he wrote first actual bug

found

in 1949 hopper again changed her career

she entered the corporate world joining

the team developing the univac one

sweet which would become yet another

historically important computer

around this time she started working on

what is considered the world's first

compiler

a compiler is used to translate

high-level programming languages

into binary language that can be

understood by a computer

programs were being created numerically

with ones and zeros the the operation

codes and she said this is not how we

think as human beings we need to

uh be able to uh tell computers what to

do with our words

opera succeeded with this new concept in

1952

but according to her people were so

skeptical that they wouldn't even touch

it at first

over these years i've had a lot to do

with computers

i've driven a large number of people at

least partially nuts

after all insisting on talking to

computers in plain english was a totally

ridiculous idea and you couldn't do that

except it worked on top of the compiler

hopper and her team released some of the

first compiler-based programming

languages

including flomatic would be pivotal in

the creation of cobalt

the popular language for data processors

you're known as the queen of software

is that right

grace was unapologetic

she was fierce and she was brilliant

everybody regards her as the first

programmer in the modern sense and also

the first woman who in the united states

certainly who was really significant in

the history of

computing she saw even then that someday

that

everyone will be able to use computers

everyone will be able to interact with

them and

she believed that everyone should be

able to to program them

opera continued her work with computers

while steadily growing in rank in the

navy

until she became rear admiral after she

retired

she kept on teaching and giving lectures

until her death in 1992

and despite her many technical

accomplishments in life she said that

her greatest joy

came from teaching yeah

[Music]