Amazing Grace – Computer Pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper

Abstract

Admiral Grace Murray Hopper said no one thought of having a computer translate the letters of the alphabet into machine code before because “they weren’t as lazy as I was.” The computer compiler that she developed laid the foundation for the computer age as we know it today by enabling computer users to communicate with the computer using human languages, not just mathematical symbols. “Amazing Grace” even presaged AI – artificial intelligence – in her seminal 1952 paper introducing the compiler. Admiral Hopper successfully combined careers in academia, business, and the US Navy while making history in the computer field. She developed the first English-based computer language (Flow-matic), was instrumental in the development of the computer language COBOL, and loved to take credit for finding the first computer bug. The recipient of numerous awards and honors, Admiral Hopper played a key role in advancing the role of computers in our lives as a developer, advocate, and marketer and relished teaching everyone about their value.

Message

When I arrived at the University of Virginia in the Fall of 1972, I was a mathematics major in the College of Arts and Sciences. As I learned about what my friends in engineering were studying, I decided that those were the classes I wanted to take and I transferred to the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. I’m not sure now that I had any idea about what I would do with an engineering education – but my PhD engineer father and his colleagues all loved their jobs – so I wasn’t very worried.

Engineers make the world work. We solve problems, generally with very creative solutions. Engineers apply science.

Going to work in the electric utility industry, which really happened by serendipity and not intentionally, was a perfect outcome for me. My first employer – Duke Power Company – espoused community and service. Our primary job, in the words of one of my electric utility CEO friends, is to KLO – Keep the Lights On!

Our economy and all of the economies around the world rely on a safe, economic, and reliable source of electricity to power everything in our lives. What a tremendous sense of satisfaction I derive from knowing that I help ensure that safe, economic, and reliable product. My sense of pride about the work that electric utilities do has only increased over the years – and was enhanced even more during the pandemic. It is hard to deliver electricity, which most of us take for granted, safely, economically, and reliably 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But, I am grateful to be part of that cadre of people.