I’m one institution removed from the person who – with her team – developed the software that took us to the moon fifty years ago.
Margaret Hamilton is an Earlham alum (class of 1958) who wrote much of the code for the Apollo missions, coined the term “software engineering”, and a lot more. If you’re uninitiated, check out her Wikipedia page.
I’d note that she’s had an incredible career since the photo was taken, so I mean to use it only for its connection to the events we’re celebrating today, not as an encapsulation of an entire career or life.
If you’re interested, the Apollo 11 guidance code is here. You’ll see Hamilton in the “Attribution” section.
Happy Moon Landing Day, friends.