Born: 1925 (Stockholm, Sweden)
Died: 2020
Biography:
Elsa-Karin Boestad-Nilsson, born on November 25, 1925, in Stockholm, Sweden, was a pioneering figure in the field of computing. She made significant contributions to the development of computer programming in Sweden, working on the country’s first and second computers, BARK and BESK.
Boestad-Nilsson’s interest in mathematics led her to pursue a degree in the subject at Stockholm University, which she completed in 1948. After graduating, she joined the Swedish National Defence Research Institute (FOA) in the same year, becoming the only degreed woman in the institute at that time.
Initially, Boestad-Nilsson used mechanical calculators from the Facit company to tackle aerodynamics problems. She devised novel methods to enhance the speed of these calculations, but she hesitated to publish them. In 1952, advancements in technology rendered these calculators obsolete, as new analog computers operated by male civil engineers were imported from the United States. Seizing the opportunity to adapt, Boestad-Nilsson undertook a course in computer programming and transitioned into the role of a programmer.
Her first significant project as a programmer was on BARK, Sweden’s inaugural programmable electromechanical computer. Through her work on BARK, Boestad-Nilsson played a key role in pioneering computer programming in Sweden. However, it was the subsequent project, BESK, that truly showcased her capabilities. BESK, which operated on vacuum tube technology rather than relays, commenced operations in 1954, with Boestad-Nilsson serving as one of its initial programmers.
The significance of Boestad-Nilsson’s work extended beyond the realm of computation. The BESK computer, along with her calculations on it, proved instrumental in Sweden’s nuclear weapons program. It was during this time that she crossed paths with Per-Olof (Olle) Nilsson, a scientist in the program, whom she married in 1956.
In 1957, Boestad-Nilsson’s expertise and contributions were recognized, as she was appointed as the head of the scientific calculation group at FOA. Continuing to thrive in her career, she eventually became the head of the department of mathematics and data processing in 1974.
Around this time, Boestad-Nilsson began advocating for women’s rights. In response to a 1975 FOA personnel memo that suggested paying all women employees, including managers like herself, lower wages to prevent jealousy, she joined the Fredrika Bremer Association and became an activist for gender equality.
In 1981, Boestad-Nilsson left FOA to work for an organization dedicated to promoting the use of the Ada programming language. Her expertise and dedication continued to make an impact until her retirement in 1990.
Elsa-Karin Boestad-Nilsson passed away on March 27, 2020. Her legacy as a computing pioneer, her contributions to the development of computer programming in Sweden, and her activism for women’s rights continue to inspire and influence generations.