Before Computer Science Became a Boys' Club, Margaret Hamilton Wrote the Code

Margaret Hamilton, a pioneering computer scientist, made significant contributions to the development of the Apollo space program. She was a member of the team that developed the onboard computer system for the Apollo 11 mission, which successfully landed astronauts on the moon in 1969. Hamilton's work on the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) was instrumental in ensuring the mission's success. The AGC was a pioneering achievement in the field of computer science, and Hamilton's contributions were recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. She also received the National Medal of Technology in 1986 for her work on the development of the AGC. Despite facing challenges and sexism in her career, Hamilton persevered and went on to found her own software company, Higher Order Software, in 1976. Her legacy as a trailblazer in computer science continues to inspire women in tech today.