Tech – Invention of women. The story about women in the history of computing, from their pioneering roles in early programming to their impact on major tech innovations. Story by Guillaumette Duplaix, Editor of RUNWAY MAGAZINE.
Introduction
In the early days of computing, the first “computers” were not machines but women, known as “human calculators.” During the mid-20th century, organizations like NASA employed these women to perform complex calculations that determined missile trajectories and space missions. By 1945, around 100 women worked in these roles, embodying an era when the world of computing was a “women’s world.”
From the 19th century through World War II, programming was predominantly a female occupation. In the 1950s, women made up half of the workforce in the computing industry, and by the 1960s, they still represented 40 to 50% of the workforce in tech companies. Even into the 1980s, 40% of computer science degrees were earned by women in Europe and the United States. Notably, in 1978, half of the computer science students were women.
Despite their crucial roles, many of these women remain unrecognized in the broader history of software development. They were instrumental in shaping modern computing, yet their contributions have often been overlooked. This article will highlight the stories of the women programmers who played pivotal roles in the development of the tech industry, holding the majority of these critical positions until the 1970s.
This introduction sets the stage for exploring how women were not just participants but true pioneers in the history of technology. Let’s delve into the stories of these remarkable women who laid the foundation of modern computing.
Women who invented Tech
Ada Lovelace (1815 – 1852)
Feminist Icon and Pioneer of Computer Science
Ada Lovelace stands as a towering figure in the early history of computing, often celebrated as the first computer programmer. Born in 1815 in London, she was the daughter of the famous poet Lord Byron and Annabella Milbanke, a highly educated woman who encouraged Ada to pursue mathematics, an unusual path for women of that era. Ada’s interest and talent in mathematics would lead her to become one of the most significant contributors to the field of computing long before the term even existed. She passed away in 1852, leaving behind a legacy that would only be recognized long after her time.
Lovelace’s most famous collaboration was with Charles Babbage, a mathematician and inventor of the Analytical Engine, which is considered the forerunner of the modern computer. In 1842, Italian mathematician Luigi Menabrea published a paper titled “Notions on the Analytical Engine of Mr. Charles Babbage,” which outlined the theoretical and practical aspects of this machine—a mechanical device capable of performing a series of pre-determined calculations.
Lovelace translated Menabrea’s paper from French to English and added extensive notes that far surpassed the original text. In these notes, she sketched out concepts that allowed the machine to act autonomously and outlined sequences of instructions to perform mathematical functions. Lovelace’s insights extended beyond numerical calculations; she envisioned a universal machine that could manipulate symbols, letters, and numbers, effectively imagining a programmable machine capable of executing a wide range of tasks—far beyond the capabilities imagined by her contemporaries.
Among her notes was what is now recognized as the first algorithm intended to be executed by a machine, making her the world’s first programmer. In 1843, Lovelace formalized what is considered the first computer program, meticulously detailing the instructions needed for the Analytical Engine to perform specific calculations. She not only outlined these computational steps but also speculated on the broader possibilities of universal computing, far ahead of her time.
Ada’s early concepts of algorithmic thinking laid the foundation for what would eventually become the modern computer, and her writings mark a significant milestone in computing history. A full century before the first computers were built, she conceptualized the architecture of what we now know as the universal computer. Despite her early death, her vision would inspire future generations of computer scientists, including Alan Turing, who, in the 1930s, developed the theoretical foundations of universal computation.
Though largely forgotten in the decades following her death, Ada Lovelace’s contributions have gradually gained recognition. In 1979, the U.S. Department of Defense named a programming language “Ada” in her honor, and one of the CNRS supercomputers also bears her name. Lovelace’s legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the often-overlooked role of women in the early development of technology—a legacy that began with the visionary work of the world’s first programmer, Ada Lovelace.
Grace Hopper (1906 – 1992)
Inventor of COBOL and Pioneer of Modern Programming
Grace Hopper, a trailblazing mathematician and computer scientist, is widely celebrated for her monumental contributions to the development of computer programming. Born Grace Brewster Murray, she pursued her education at Yale University, earning her master’s degree in 1930 and her Ph.D. in 1934 before teaching mathematics at Vassar College in New York. Hopper’s brilliant mind and relentless curiosity would eventually lead her to revolutionize the world of computing.
In 1943, Hopper enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve during World War II. Her career in the Navy brought her to Harvard University, where she worked on the Harvard Mark I, one of the earliest computers, and became its first programmer. Hopper’s knack for solving problems came to light famously in 1945 while working on the Mark II. When the computer malfunctioned, she discovered that the cause was a moth trapped in one of the relays. Meticulously, she removed the insect and taped it into her logbook, noting, “First actual case of bug being found.” This humorous anecdote popularized the term “computer bug,” now a fundamental part of the tech lexicon.
Grace Hopper’s legacy, however, extends far beyond quirky anecdotes. She was a pioneer in programming and is often referred to as “The Queen of Software.” Her most notable achievement is the invention of COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language), a revolutionary programming language developed in 1959 that became a standard in business, military, and enterprise computing. COBOL was designed to be user-friendly, using English-like syntax, which made programming more accessible to non-specialists and helped expand the use of computers across various industries.
Hopper’s contributions to programming also include the concept of code reuse and the use of subroutines, which allowed for more efficient and modular coding practices. She is also credited with popularizing the term “coding” to describe the process of writing instructions for computers. These innovations not only shaped how software was written but also laid the groundwork for modern programming languages and methodologies.
After an illustrious career, Hopper retired from the Navy in 1966, only to be recalled the following year to help standardize the Navy’s computer languages. By the time she retired again in 1986, at the age of 79, she was the oldest active-duty officer in the U.S. Navy. Her decades of service and innovation were recognized when she was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 1991, just a year before her death.
Grace Hopper’s influence on computing cannot be overstated. She broke barriers as a woman in a male-dominated field, and her vision of making programming more intuitive transformed the industry. From the early days of debugging to the creation of COBOL, her work continues to resonate in the technological world today. Hopper’s legacy as a fearless innovator and educator lives on, inspiring future generations to push the boundaries of what’s possible in computing.
Hedy Lamarr (1914 – 2000)
Hollywood Star by Day, Genius Inventor by Night: The Woman Who Invented Wi-Fi
Hedy Lamarr is often remembered as one of Hollywood’s most glamorous stars, but her legacy extends far beyond the silver screen. Born Hedwig Kiesler in Austria, Lamarr fled her homeland in 1937 as Nazi forces took control. She arrived in the United States, where she quickly captivated audiences with her beauty and talent, becoming a household name. Yet, away from the spotlight, Lamarr had another, lesser-known passion: invention. By night, she was a brilliant self-taught engineer who co-created one of the most transformative technologies in modern communication—frequency-hopping spread spectrum—the foundation of Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth.
Lamarr’s life was full of contradictions. She dazzled the public with her charm and elegance, starring in over thirty films, but she also possessed a fierce intellect and a drive to contribute to the war effort. Driven by a deep sense of patriotism and a commitment to defeat the Nazis, Lamarr channeled her creativity into developing solutions that could aid the Allied forces. Working with her friend and collaborator, composer George Antheil, she devised a way to protect radio-guided torpedoes from enemy interception—a critical problem at the time.
The pair drew inspiration from a surprising source: player pianos. Just as these pianos used perforated rolls to control the notes played, Lamarr and Antheil conceived a communication system that would rapidly switch radio frequencies, much like a piano’s keys, following a synchronized pattern between the transmitter and receiver. This frequency-hopping concept spread signals over multiple frequencies, making it nearly impossible for enemy forces to jam or intercept communications.
The innovative technology of Hedy Lamarr, patented in 1941, laid the groundwork for what we now know as spread-spectrum technology.
Despite the brilliance of their invention, Lamarr and Antheil faced skepticism. The U.S. Navy dismissed their work as impractical, not believing that a glamorous actress and a musician could revolutionize military technology. Their invention was shelved and ignored, only to be rediscovered decades later during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, when the U.S. military began to see its value. It was finally used by the Navy during the Vietnam War, marking the first time their revolutionary technology was employed in combat.
Lamarr’s invention was ahead of its time, and by the time it was widely recognized, her patent had expired, preventing her from receiving any financial benefits. In the 1980s, as the technology became fundamental to the development of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and secure military communications, Lamarr’s contribution became more widely acknowledged. Nevertheless, she never received a cent for her invention and was repeatedly told that her work had not been used—an untruth that she only discovered in her later years.
Beyond her work in telecommunications, Lamarr’s inventive mind never rested. She sketched out numerous other concepts, including a fluorescent dog collar, a tablet that could create carbonated drinks, and an improved traffic light system. Though many of these ideas were not pursued commercially, they highlight her boundless creativity and practical ingenuity.
Lamarr’s story is not just one of technical innovation but also of resilience against the stereotypes that often confined women of her era. She was a woman who refused to be limited by the roles society expected her to play. Even as she graced the covers of magazines and starred alongside Hollywood’s leading men, Lamarr’s true passion was in the workshop, scribbling down ideas that would change the world.
Today, Hedy Lamarr is rightly celebrated not just as a film star but as a pioneering inventor who dared to dream beyond her time. In 1997, the Electronic Frontier Foundation honored her with a special award for her contributions to the field of communications, bringing her the recognition she deserved far too late. Her life is a powerful testament to the idea that genius can come from anywhere and that sometimes the most groundbreaking minds are hiding in plain sight.
Joan Clarke (1917 – 1996)
The Unsung Codebreaker Behind “The Bomb”
Joan Clarke, a brilliant mathematician and cryptanalyst, played a vital role in breaking the codes of the Nazi Enigma machine during World War II. While Alan Turing is often credited as the mastermind behind “The Bomb,” the machine that decrypted Enigma, Clarke’s contributions were crucial to its success. Born in England in 1917, Clarke excelled in mathematics at Cambridge University but was denied a full degree because it did not award them to women at the time. This setback did not deter her from joining the British Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, where she became a key player in the effort to decode Nazi communications.
Working closely with Turing and the cryptographic team, Clarke helped develop “The Bomb,” an electromechanical device that rapidly tested Enigma’s settings to break the Nazi codes. Her expertise in cryptography was instrumental in refining the machine’s algorithms, allowing the Allies to intercept and decipher enemy messages, ultimately shortening the war by two years and saving millions of lives. Despite the male-dominated environment and the challenges she faced, Clarke’s talents were recognized when she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) after the war.
Clarke’s remarkable story, overshadowed for decades, gained wider recognition when she was portrayed by Keira Knightley in The Imitation Game. Although her work remained classified for many years, Clarke’s legacy endures as a testament to the critical role women played in technology and intelligence. She was not just a supporting figure behind Turing but a formidable codebreaker in her own right, whose contributions were pivotal in changing the course of history.
Katherine Johnson (1918 – 2020)
The Human Computer Behind NASA’s Space Race Success
Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician and physicist, played a pivotal role in the success of NASA’s early space missions with her precise orbital mechanics calculations. Born on August 26, 1918, in West Virginia to African American parents, Johnson’s exceptional talent for mathematics was evident from a young age. Despite the racial and gender barriers of her time, she pursued her passion for math, joining NASA’s predecessor, NACA, in 1953, where she was part of a team of African American women known as “human computers,” performing complex calculations manually for engineers.
Johnson quickly distinguished herself through her accuracy and intellectual rigor, eventually earning a place in NASA’s Space Task Group, becoming one of the few Black women to work alongside predominantly white male engineers. Her calculations were instrumental in several critical missions, including the historic Friendship 7, which saw John Glenn become the first American to orbit the Earth, and the Apollo 11 mission, which put the first humans on the moon.
In 1960, Johnson co-authored a research report with engineer Ted Skopinski, detailing equations for orbital flight paths, marking the first time a woman was credited as an author of a NASA research report. Her work gained further prominence in 1961 when she calculated the trajectory for Alan Shepard’s Freedom 7 mission, the first American human spaceflight. In 1962, John Glenn specifically requested that Johnson manually verify the computer’s calculations for his Mercury-Atlas 6 mission, reflecting the trust and respect she had earned from her colleagues.
Johnson’s expertise extended to the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, where she helped refine the trajectory for the lunar module’s return from the moon, ensuring a safe rendezvous with the command module. Her contributions were vital not only for the Mercury and Apollo programs but also for the early shuttle missions, demonstrating her lasting impact on space exploration.
Throughout her career, Johnson received numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 from President Barack Obama, the NASA Silver Snoopy Award, and the Congressional Gold Medal. In 2016, NASA named the Katherine Johnson Computational Research Facility in her honor. In 2021, she was posthumously inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, solidifying her legacy as a pioneer in science and mathematics.
Katherine Johnson’s story reached a broader audience when she was portrayed by Taraji P. Henson in the 2016 film Hidden Figures, which highlighted her and her colleagues’ invaluable contributions to the space race. Johnson’s remarkable achievements broke racial and gender barriers, proving that talent, perseverance, and dedication can overcome even the most formidable obstacles. Her legacy as a trailblazer in mathematics and space exploration continues to inspire future generations.
Jean Bartik and the ENIAC Girls (1924 – 2011)
The First Programmers of the Modern Computer
In 1945, six pioneering women—Kay McNulty, Betty Jennings, Betty Snyder, Marlyn Meltzer, Fran Bilas, and Ruth Lichterman, known collectively as the “ENIAC Six”—were selected to work on a top-secret project during World War II: programming one of the world’s first electronic digital computers, the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer). These women were among the first computer programmers in history, and their work laid the foundation for modern computing.
The ENIAC was a technological marvel of its time: a 30-ton machine, standing 30 meters tall and occupying 30 cubic meters, powered by 18,000 vacuum tubes. It was 100 to 1,000 times faster than the electromechanical machines of the era but required manual rewiring to execute each new program—a task that the ENIAC Six undertook with remarkable skill. Their job was not only to write the first programs but also to physically connect cables and configure switches on this massive machine to solve complex ballistic calculations for the U.S. Army.
Jean Bartik, along with her fellow programmers, was at the core of the ENIAC project, identifying computational steps, mapping algorithms, and physically programming the machine, a process far more intricate than modern coding. Despite their pivotal role, the ENIAC Six were largely forgotten by history, overshadowed by the male engineers who designed the hardware. It wasn’t until decades later, in 2013, when a documentary brought their contributions into the spotlight, that these women received the recognition they deserved.
Jean Bartik, in particular, continued to shape the future of computing beyond the ENIAC. After her work on the ENIAC, Bartik became a key figure in the development of the UNIVAC, one of the first commercial computers, and she worked closely with Grace Hopper, who would go on to invent the first compiler. In 1997, Bartik was honored with the Computer Pioneer Award, recognizing her groundbreaking contributions to computing.
The ENIAC Six were trailblazers, yet they worked in relative obscurity. Their legacy lives on in the very fabric of programming, an industry they helped birth through their work on the ENIAC. From manually wiring the first computer programs to laying the groundwork for future technological advancements, these women proved that programming was a field where women could not only participate but excel. Their story is a testament to the often-overlooked but critical role women played in the earliest days of computing, setting the stage for the digital revolution that would follow.
Alice Recoque (1929 – 2021)
Pioneer in Artificial Intelligence Research
Alice Recoque was a visionary computer scientist whose work played a pivotal role in the development of early computing and artificial intelligence in France. A graduate of the prestigious École supérieure de physique et de chimie industrielle de Paris (ESPCI), Recoque was at the forefront of several groundbreaking technological innovations throughout her career, contributing to the evolution of computing from early desktop machines to the emerging field of AI.
Recoque’s career began with her involvement in the development of the CAB 500, a desktop computer known as the Calculatrice Automatique Binaire, which featured drum memory and transistors—a significant advancement in making computing more user-friendly with its integrated keyboard. Her expertise and leadership were further recognized in 1970 when she led the project for the MITRA 15, a mini-computer designed for industrial management. The MITRA 15 found diverse applications, including its use in France’s early internet project, Cyclades, controlling robots, managing safety systems in nuclear plants, and operating missile and naval systems.
In addition to her engineering achievements, Recoque was deeply aware of the social implications of technology. In 1978, she participated in the founding meeting of France’s Commission nationale de l’informatique et des libertés (CNIL), where she voiced concerns about the growing surveillance power of businesses and governments, advocating for safeguards to protect individual privacy.
By 1985, Recoque had shifted her focus to artificial intelligence while working at Groupe Bull. She led AI research in collaboration with public research organizations like Inria, contributing to the development of Prolog, a programming language now widely used in AI, especially for natural language processing. Her forward-thinking research laid the groundwork for future AI applications, pushing the boundaries of how computers could learn, reason, and interact with humans.
Alice Recoque’s legacy extends beyond her technical innovations; she was a trailblazer who not only advanced computing technology but also foresaw the ethical challenges it could pose. Her contributions to AI and computing remain influential, and her advocacy for responsible tech continues to resonate in today’s debates over privacy and digital rights. Recoque’s work exemplifies the profound impact that women have had in shaping the field of technology and artificial intelligence.
Annie Easley (1933 – 2011)
Human Computer and Pioneer of Hybrid Vehicle Technology
Annie Easley was a pioneering computer scientist, mathematician, and engineer whose contributions spanned from early space missions to the development of technologies that paved the way for hybrid vehicles. Starting her career as one of NASA’s first African American computer scientists, Easley’s work helped shape the future of aerospace and energy technology.
Easley began her journey at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), NASA’s predecessor, in the 1950s. She started as a “human computer,” performing complex calculations by hand, including simulations for the Plum Brook Reactor, a critical component in early space research. As technology evolved, so did Easley’s role; she quickly adapted by learning programming languages like Fortran and SOAP, becoming one of the first programmers at NASA.
Her expertise in programming led her to a leadership position as the head of the team of programmers for the Centaur rocket stage, where she developed critical codes for energy conversion systems. Easley’s work was integral to a variety of aerospace projects, and her contributions extended beyond space exploration. She played a key role in developing software for battery technologies, directly influencing the evolution of power systems that would later be used in hybrid vehicles.
Easley’s programming and analytical skills at the Lewis Research Center were instrumental in advancing aeronautics, computing, and energy studies, bridging the gap between space exploration and practical, Earth-based applications. Her research and code development contributed to the efficiency of energy storage and management systems, marking her as a pioneer in the development of hybrid vehicle batteries.
Throughout her career, Easley broke barriers not only as a woman in STEM but also as an African American in a predominantly white and male field. Her determination to excel, coupled with her technical brilliance, helped shape the development of technologies that continue to impact our world today. Annie Easley’s legacy is a testament to the power of perseverance and the critical, often unrecognized role that women have played in the advancement of technology and engineering.
Stephanie Shirley (1933 – )
The Trailblazing Tech Entrepreneur Who Rewrote the Rules
Stephanie Shirley, originally born Vera Buchthal, is a pioneering British computer scientist and entrepreneur who transformed the tech industry with her innovative approach to business and her commitment to supporting women in the workforce. Born in 1933 to a Jewish father in Germany, Shirley fled Nazi persecution at the age of five, finding refuge in England. She became a British citizen at 18, taking the name Stephanie Brook, and later made history in the computing world under the name “Steve Shirley,” a pseudonym she adopted to navigate the male-dominated tech industry.
Shirley’s journey into computing began at the Dollis Hill Post Office Research Station, where she developed an interest in computer science and pursued a mathematics degree through evening classes. In 1962, with just £6 of startup capital, she founded Freelance Programmers, a software company that she ran from her home. The company’s mission was groundbreaking: to provide job opportunities for talented women programmers, many of whom were unable to work in traditional office environments due to family responsibilities.
Under Shirley’s leadership, Freelance Programmers grew rapidly, with a workforce primarily composed of women. She championed flexible working hours and remote work—revolutionary concepts at the time—creating a supportive environment that allowed her employees to balance their careers and family lives. However, in 1975, the Sex Discrimination Act prohibited gender-based hiring, forcing Shirley to expand her hiring practices to include men.
Freelance Programmers became a major success, eventually employing over 8,500 people and contributing to significant projects, including programming the black box flight recorder for the Concorde and establishing critical software standards and control protocols. In the 1970s, Shirley transitioned out of active management and retired in 1991 after selling her company, which was later listed on the stock market and valued at $3 billion.
Despite facing gender biases throughout her career, Shirley’s innovative business model set a new standard for the tech industry. In 2014, she was recognized as one of the “100 Best Living Scientists” in the UK by the Science Council. Today, her legacy lives on not only through the success of her company, now part of Sopra Steria, but also in her philanthropic work, advocating for women in STEM and supporting autism research.
Stephanie Shirley’s story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of challenging the status quo. By breaking barriers and rewriting the rules of business, she created a space for women in tech and proved that flexibility and inclusion are not just possible but profitable. Her journey from a refugee to a celebrated tech entrepreneur serves as an enduring inspiration to future generations.
Margaret Hamilton (1936 – )
The Software Engineer Who Brought Apollo to the Moon
Margaret Hamilton, a mathematician and pioneering computer scientist, played a pivotal role in the success of NASA’s Apollo program through her groundbreaking work in software development. Born in 1936, Hamilton began her career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1960, where she developed meteorological forecasting software and later led a team creating detection programs for aircraft. Her expertise and passion for programming led her to NASA, where she would leave an indelible mark on space exploration.
In 1963, Hamilton became the lead software engineer for the Apollo program, responsible for the development of the onboard flight software for the Apollo and Skylab missions. At a time when software engineering was an emerging field with few established methods or protocols, Hamilton’s innovative approach to software design and project management helped define the discipline. She coined the term “software engineering,” advocating for its importance in mission-critical systems, a concept that was initially met with skepticism but eventually gained respect and recognition.
Hamilton’s software was put to the ultimate test during the historic Apollo 11 mission in 1969. As the lunar module descended towards the moon, a series of computer alarms began to sound, indicating that the guidance computer was overloaded with data. Thanks to Hamilton’s meticulous coding and her team’s design of a priority-based system architecture, the software correctly managed the overload, allowing the critical landing tasks to proceed without interruption. This prevented a potential mission abort, enabling the lunar module to land safely on the moon—a defining moment in human history.
Hamilton’s contributions were not limited to Apollo 11. Her software foresight was also instrumental in the success of Apollo 13 in 1970, where her anticipatory programming allowed the command module to remain operational during a crisis, helping the crew return safely to Earth. At a time when software was often seen as secondary to hardware, Hamilton’s work demonstrated the critical role of reliable, resilient code in complex systems.
Beyond the Apollo missions, Hamilton and her colleagues at MIT developed foundational concepts in software programming, including error detection and fault management strategies that influenced future computer systems. In 1986, she created the Universal Systems Language (USL), designed for use in complex software systems, further solidifying her legacy as a trailblazer in the field.
Hamilton’s achievements were recognized by NASA with the Exceptional Space Act Award in 2003, celebrating her contributions to software engineering and space exploration. Margaret Hamilton’s work not only helped land humans on the moon but also established the field of software engineering as a critical and respected discipline, proving that software could be as vital as the rockets and spacecraft it controlled. Her legacy endures as a symbol of ingenuity, perseverance, and the profound impact of women in technology.
Roberta Williams (1953 – )
The Game-Changing Creator of Graphic Adventure Games
Roberta Williams is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of video game design, pioneering the graphic adventure genre and transforming how players interact with virtual worlds. Born in 1953 in the United States, Williams began her career in game design almost by chance. In the late 1970s, while pregnant with her first child, her husband Ken Williams, a computer programmer, introduced her to the text-based game Colossal Cave Adventure. Although initially captivated, Roberta quickly grew bored with the purely textual format and envisioned something more engaging—a video game that would merge storytelling with visual elements to create an immersive experience.
Inspired to reinvent the adventure game, Roberta Williams conceptualized Mystery House (1980), the first-ever graphic adventure game. While Ken programmed the game, Roberta designed the storyline, puzzles, and the groundbreaking graphical elements, drawing inspiration from Agatha Christie novels and the classic board game Clue. Mystery House placed players in a mansion filled with characters who are gradually killed off, challenging players to solve the mystery before becoming the next victim. This game was revolutionary; it brought adventure games out of the text-only realm, making them accessible and exciting to a broader audience.
Roberta and Ken co-founded On-Line Systems, later known as Sierra On-Line, in 1980, which became one of the most innovative companies in the gaming industry. Their collaborative work led to numerous groundbreaking titles, including King’s Quest (1984), which allowed players to see their characters move within a virtual world—another first in gaming history. With enhanced computer graphics, King’s Quest offered a rich, interactive experience that set a new standard for game design.
Roberta continued to push the boundaries of interactive storytelling. In 1995, she released Phantasmagoria, a horror adventure game that featured real actors filmed on blue screens and integrated into 3D environments. The game’s graphic violence and immersive storytelling marked a new era of video game realism, making it one of the most controversial and best-selling games of its time.
Over her 18-year career, Roberta Williams created or contributed to more than twenty games, including iconic titles such as The Wizard and the Princess, King’s Quest series, Time Zone, The Black Cauldron, and Dark Crystal. Her unique blend of narrative, design, and innovative use of technology changed the landscape of video game development, turning games into rich storytelling experiences that captivated millions of players worldwide.
Williams’ work was a turning point in adventure game design, making her not only a pioneer in the gaming world but also a trailblazer who opened up new possibilities for interactive storytelling. Her vision helped elevate video games from simple pastimes to complex, engaging art forms, inspiring countless designers and setting the stage for the modern gaming industry. Roberta Williams’ legacy as the mother of graphic adventure games remains a testament to the power of creativity, innovation, and the enduring impact of women in technology.
Where Are the Women Today?
The history of computing is not solely a male narrative—women were trailblazers who shaped the tech world. From the 1950s, women held critical roles, driving innovation in a field that was then low in prestige and pay. For nearly four decades, they led the way, but as computing gained status, their presence diminished. In just 20 years, the representation of women in tech halved, revealing a pattern: as fields gain societal importance, they often become male-dominated. This recent decline underscores the urgent need to reclaim the space women once dominated and celebrate their crucial contributions.
Today, as we reflect on these remarkable women, their stories remind us that innovation knows no gender. Their legacies inspire a new generation to break barriers and redefine the tech landscape. The challenge ahead is not just about closing the gender gap but recognizing and valuing the immense impact women have had—and will continue to have—in shaping the future of technology. The story of tech is incomplete without them, and it’s time to honor their place in history.
