Home / Technology / Unsung Heroines: Women Who Invented Your Tech
Unsung Heroines: Women Who Invented Your Tech
19 Nov
Summary
- Hedy Lamarr's frequency hopping paved the way for WiFi.
- Grace Hopper pioneered compilers, shaping modern programming.
- Stephanie Kwolek invented Kevlar, a material stronger than steel.
Behind the devices and digital tools we rely on daily are the groundbreaking innovations of women, whose contributions are frequently forgotten. From enabling internet connectivity to ensuring safety and transportation, these women have profoundly shaped our modern world.
Hedy Lamarr, an actress by profession, co-invented frequency hopping, a technology that became foundational for WiFi and GPS. Grace Murray Hopper, a mathematician and naval officer, pioneered automatic programming and developed the first computer compiler, paving the way for contemporary programming languages. Stephanie L. Kwolek, a chemist, synthesized Kevlar, a synthetic fiber renowned for its exceptional strength and durability.
Further innovations include Mary Anderson's invention of the windshield wiper, enhancing driving safety in adverse weather. Marie van Brittan Brown developed the first closed-circuit television (CCTV) security system, a precursor to modern security technologies. Gladys B. West's mathematical work on satellite geodesy was crucial in developing the accuracy of the Global Positioning System (GPS).
