“Grace Hopper and the Invention of the Information Age, by Kurt W. Beyer, MIT Press, Cambridge, 2012, explores the life and work of Grace Hopper and her significant contributions to the early development of computing and the subsequent emergence of the Information Age. The book delves into Hopper’s experiences, beginning with her time at the Harvard Computation Laboratory during World War II, where she worked on the Harvard Mark I. It details the intricacies of programming this early machine, the challenges of debugging, and Hopper’s crucial role in creating the first manual for the Mark I. The narrative highlights Hopper’s innovative thinking about programming, including the concept of reusable code through sequence control tapes and the creation of a “tape library”. It also touches on the intellectual environment at Harvard, shaped by figures such as Howard Aiken and the visits of John von Neumann, and how these interactions influenced the development of early computing. The book examines the relationship of the Harvard project to other contemporary efforts, such as ENIAC, and to debates about computer architecture, contrasting the Harvard machine’s approach with von Neumann’s concept of stored programs.
Beyond her work on the Mark I, the book covers Hopper’s later career and her pioneering efforts in the development of higher-level, user-oriented programming languages. In particular, it focuses on her work at the Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation (EMCC) and Remington Rand, where she led the creation of the FLOW-MATIC business language. The book meticulously details the genesis of FLOW-MATIC, Hopper’s vision of making computers accessible to a wider audience by using English-based commands, and the challenges she faced in convincing management and industry of its value.
It also explores Hopper’s central role in the development and standardisation of COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language). It recounts the formation of the Conference on Data Systems Languages (CODASYL), the debates and compromises involved in creating a common business language, and Hopper’s strong advocacy of a user-friendly approach. The book also discusses competing language proposals such as IBM’s COMTRAN and Honeywell’s FACT, and how FLOW-MATIC influenced the design of COBOL.
Throughout the narrative, Beyer contextualises Hopper’s technical achievements within the broader social, historical, and institutional landscape of the time. He touches on the impact of the Second World War on scientific research, the evolving computer community, and the dynamics between academia, industry (particularly IBM and Remington Rand), and the military. The book also sheds light on the challenges faced by women in a male-dominated field, although it suggests that Hopper’s experiences at Harvard and EMCC may not be entirely consistent with narratives of discounted value for female software developers.
In conclusion, “Grace Hopper and the Invention of the Information Age” provides a comprehensive account of Grace Hopper’s life and her profound impact on the computer revolution. It meticulously details her technical innovations, particularly in programming languages and compiler technology, while providing valuable insights into the social and historical forces that shaped the early development of the Information Age. The book argues that Hopper was not only a technical visionary, but also a crucial figure in bridging the gap between complex computer technology and its wider application in business and society. It highlights her role in making computing more accessible and ultimately contributing to the transformative power of information in the modern era.