SCIENCE · The New York Times

Before Computer Science Became a Boys' Club, Margaret Hamilton Wrote the Code

Published: 2026-10-09T14:11:28.000Z · 3-Minute Executive Summary

Margaret Hamilton worked as a software engineer during an era when the profession lacked both high status and financial reward. Before the discipline transformed into a male-dominated environment, she played a vital engineering role in launching astronauts toward the moon.

Why It Matters: This highlights the foundational contributions of women before computer science became prestigious and male-dominated.