1842 Ada Lovelace : the first algorithm Ada Lovelace published the first algorithm to be run by Charles Babbage ’ s Analytical Engine , making her the first computer programmer . Lovelace detailed applications for the Analytical Engine that relate to how computers are used today .

1950s Pioneering computer programming An admiral in the United States ’ Navy , Grace Hopper was one of the first programmers for the Harvard Mark I computer , which was used in the war effort for WWII . Her work also led to the development of the programming language COBOL , which is still in use today .

1961 Putting humans in orbit Katherine Johnson was instrumental to calculating the launch window for Alan Shepard ’ s first space flight . Johnson , who was immortalised in the 2016 film Hidden Figures , worked on calculations for Project Apollo ' s Lunar Lander , the Space Shuttle , and the Earth Resources Satellite . In 2015 , she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom .

22 March 2023