Some of the claims made about Ada are certainly mistaken, but there are also good arguments for genuine, important contributions. See, for example, Babbage historian Doron Swade's discussion of her insight into potential applications of the Analytical Engine beyond numeric calculation (beginning at 36:30):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K5p_tBcrd0

By the way, a very good biography of Grace Hopper was published a few years ago:

http://mitpress.mit.edu/books/grace-hopper-and-invention-inf...

I don't understand this comment. Why are we looking for one single all-mighty "female computer hero"? Can't we recognize the different women in computer science and appreciate their contributions individually without trying to put one above all others?

The "if" in "if you're looking..." isn't merely rhetorical. As it happens, I'm not particularly looking for a female computer hero, but many others are, as evidenced by those well-intentioned but misguided people who have promoted Ada Lovelace well beyond her station. I'm merely pointing out that this is unnecessary, because there is a first-rate example in Grace Hopper.

"But if you're looking for a female..."

While you have a point, I never tire to hear of or praise strong, smart women :)

Seconded. Lovelace deserves some place in the history books, but her pre-eminence doesn't do those of us concerned with gender justice in computing any good.

Grace Hopper, on the other hand, is a badass by any measure.

Relevant:

- http://blog.jgc.org/2011/09/lovelaces-leap.html

- http://blog.jgc.org/2012/10/marie-curie-day.html

Good one.

HN discussion of this blog post: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4902787

Grace Hopper is a computer hero, period. Gender and sex have very little to do with her accomplishments, and she is a perfect example to show that women are just as capable as men are, even in an unwelcome environment.

Thanks, didn't know, until now I was going with the "first computer programmer" herd.

Thank you, American man!