Born: 1936 (Paoli, Indiana)
Biography:
Margaret Elaine Hamilton (née Heafield) was an American computer scientist, systems engineer, and business owner who made significant contributions to the field of software engineering. She was born on August 17, 1936, in Paoli, Indiana, to Kenneth and Ruth Heafield. Hamilton’s family later moved to Michigan, where she graduated from Hancock High School in 1954.
Hamilton went on to pursue higher education in mathematics at the University of Michigan in 1955. However, she transferred to Earlham College, where her mother had been a student, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics with a minor in philosophy in 1958. During her time at Earlham, Hamilton was inspired by Florence Long, the head of the math department, to pursue abstract mathematics and consider a career as a mathematics professor. Her father, a poet, and her headmaster grandfather also influenced her decision to include a minor in philosophy in her studies.
After completing her undergraduate education, Hamilton initially planned to pursue graduate studies in abstract mathematics at Brandeis University. However, in mid-1959, she joined the meteorology department at MIT, working with Edward Norton Lorenz. Hamilton’s initial work involved developing software for weather prediction, using the LGP-30 and PDP-1 computers at Marvin Minsky’s Project MAC. Her contributions to Lorenz’s work on chaos theory further demonstrated her impressive abilities.
At that time, computer science and software engineering were not established fields, and programmers relied on hands-on experience rather than formal education. Hamilton continued to enhance her programming skills as she transitioned to the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) Project at the MIT Lincoln Lab from 1961 to 1963. As part of this project, she wrote software for the prototype AN/FSQ-7 computer, which the U.S. Air Force used to search for potentially hostile aircraft.
Hamilton’s talents and dedication to her work led her to contribute to various projects, including writing software for a satellite tracking project at the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories. Her expertise in software development and engineering continued to grow, and she played a crucial role in the advancement of technology during her time at MIT.
In 1976, Hamilton founded Higher Order Software, a software company in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She later established Hamilton Technologies in 1986, further cementing her position in the business world. Throughout her career, Hamilton authored over 130 papers, proceedings, and reports. She undertook about sixty projects and was involved in the development of six major programs.
One of Hamilton’s most notable contributions was coining the term software engineering. Her aim was to distinguish software development from other forms of engineering and emphasize its role as part of the broader systems engineering process. This term has become synonymous with the discipline and highlighted the importance of software development in the advancement of technology.
In recognition of her groundbreaking work, Margaret Hamilton was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama on November 22, 2016. This prestigious honor acknowledged her role in developing on-board flight software for NASA’s Apollo Moon missions, which played a significant part in the success of the program.
Margaret Hamilton’s legacy extends beyond her expertise and achievements in the field of software engineering. She serves as an inspiration to women interested in STEM fields, breaking barriers and proving that they can excel in historically male-dominated industries. Hamilton’s contributions have had a lasting impact on society and continue to shape the world of technology.
Awards:
– Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016)