She Invented That A digital museum of women in science

Scientist Exhibit

Grace Hopper

Computer Science

1906 – 1992 United States

Advanced compiler development and machine-independent programming languages

Overview Institutions
Grace Hopper

Overview

About Grace Hopper

Grace Hopper was a computer scientist and United States naval officer who helped make programming languages more accessible. She worked on the Harvard Mark I and later developed early compiler technology, promoting the idea that computers could translate instructions written in words into machine code. Her work influenced business-oriented programming and the development of COBOL.

Scientific Contribution

Key Discovery

COBOL development and standardization

Foundational contributions to the development, adoption and standardization of the COBOL programming language.

Early computer compilers

Development of early compiler systems that helped establish automatic programming.

Life Timeline

Important Moments

1944

career

Works on the Harvard Mark I

As a US Navy Reserve officer, Hopper worked with Howard Aiken's Harvard computation group on the Mark I.

1949

career

Joins Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation

Hopper joined the company founded by the designers of ENIAC and continued pioneering work in programming.

1952

discovery

Develops an early compiler

At Eckert-Mauchly, Hopper developed one of the world's first compilers, helping establish compiler-based programming.

1959

discovery

Helps shape the development of COBOL

Hopper played an important role in the development of the business-oriented programming language that became COBOL.

1986

career

Retires from the US Navy

Hopper retired from active naval service with the rank of Rear Admiral.

Places & Networks

Institutions