Mobile and communications technology has totally transformed our lives. It’s fundamental to how we shop, consume entertainment and even date! From coding and encryption to wireless communication and mobile interfaces, it’s the innovators behind this tech that we should be thanking. And it’s important to recognise the trailblazing women that made these breakthroughs.
Although women have been at the forefront of research and development, they often don’t get the recognition they deserve. So, let’s help put that right by delving into some of the most game changing inventions by some of the most brilliant women in science and technology.
1. Computer programming - Ada Lovelace, 1840s.
If you’ve opened an app, played a game or done just about anything on a computer, you’ve got Ada Lovelace to thank. Often considered the first computer programmer, Lovelace worked with the much better-known Charles Babbage on his Analytical Engine – the first automated, mechanical calculator.
In the 1840s, she wrote Note G – a calculation that’s now widely recognised as the first algorithm intended for implementation on a machine. Lovelace’s visionary work laid the foundation for computer programming, opening the doors for the digital revolution.
2. WiFi & Bluetooth - Hedy Lamarr, 1940s.
We take wireless communication for granted now. But it’s something we use every day, whether that’s joining a Teams meeting, playing music on the move or streaming a movie. What’s hard to take for granted is that the technology behind it was originally invented by a Hollywood movie star!
And although still remembered for her life on screen, Hedy Lamarr is another unsung hero of the tech world. During World War II, Lamarr co-invented a frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology for guiding torpedoes without being detected. This invention was the precursor to modern wireless communication technologies, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
3. Cryptography & Encryption - Joan Clarke, 1940s.
Keeping our data private is obviously a huge part of how we feel safe online. And without it, any kind of online payments would be impossible. But the origins of data encryption read like a spy story.
During World War II, Joan Clarke worked as a cryptanalyst at Bletchley Park, where she played a crucial role in deciphering the Enigma code. On its own that would have been a monumental achievement, since cracking Enigma shortened the war by years.
But Joan Clarke's work was instrumental in advancing the field of cryptography, laying the groundwork for encryption techniques that are vital for today's mobile device security. Her contributions ensure that our communications remain private and our data secure, making her an unsung hero in the digital age.
4. Coding - Grace Hopper, 1950s.
Programming languages tell a computer what to do and how to do it. As such, they’re the building blocks of apps, games and more. But the first high-level programming language (COBOL) actually goes back to the 1950s. And it’s still in use today.
One of its key creators was Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist and United States Navy rear admiral. She worked on the Harvard Mark I computer during World War II and later developed the first compiler for a computer programming language. Hopper is also known as the first hacker in history!
5. Icon & UI Design - Susan Kare, 1980s.
It’s easy to overlook icons and menus, but we’d be lost without them. A major part of the success of smartphones is that they’re just so easy to use. And a lot of those user-friendly interfaces are thanks to the work of Susan Kare.
From the original icons and fonts for Apple’s Macintosh in the 1980s, her work laid the foundations for the clever but clear badges and buttons we take for granted today. Kare’s designs have made technology more accessible and approachable (regardless of language barrier) for billions of people around the world.
6. Voice over Internet Protocol - Marian Croak, 2000s.
Imagine a world without Skype, WhatsApp, or Zoom. It’s hard to picture now, especially after the global shift towards remote work and online communication.
Marian Croak developed the technology for voice calls over the internet, known as VoIP. This innovation has revolutionised how we communicate, making it easier and more affordable to stay in touch with people across the globe. But Marian Croak is also a prolific inventor, with over 200 patents related to internet-based communication and mobile voice services.
She once said: “I love trying to understand how things work. I actually thought I would become a plumber.” Lucky for us that she studied tech!
So, the next time you make a call on Skype, use Wi-Fi or simply swipe through the apps on your phone, take a moment to appreciate the brilliant women who made these things possible.
Have we missed anyone off? Are there other key inventions and their inventors we should be giving a shout out to? Comment below.
