invented the 80’s computer the BBC Micro, and designed the instruction set for ARM microprocessors that power most mobile phones, tablets, and embedded computer systems. (Sophie Wilson)
Scientists Discover a Cost Effective Way to Produce Hydrogen from Urine ↘
Do you love the adventure of a road trip, but could do without the constant gas station pit stops to refuel and – ahem – release? Well, chemists have found a way to combine refueling your car and relieving yourself by creating a new catalyst that is able to extract hydrogen from urine. The process which was discovered by Gerardine Botte of Ohio University focuses in on a catalyst that would have a variety of applications, including fuel for hydrogen powered cars and cleaning up municipal waters.
At last, my childhood dream of in-car toilets may yet become a practical idea!!! And it could save the world too!
Pioneered computer science, as one of the first programmers of the Harvard Mark I computer, and developer of the first compiler for a computer programming language for UNIVAC I. Conceptualized the idea of machine-independent programming languages, which led to the development of COBOL, one of the first modern programming languages. Popularized the term “debugging” for fixing computer glitches (motivated by an actual moth removed from the computer).
Joined the WAVES during WWII despite being 15 pounds underweight, and was on active duty for 41 of the next 43 years. Awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the highest non-combat award possible by the Department of Defense. The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Hopper (DDG-70) was named for her. (Rear Admiral Grace Hopper Ph.D.)
Created the first link-state protocol, Spanning-Tree Protocol, allowing network connections to automatically re-route around failed links. It was published more than twenty years ago but is still used in most ISPs’ networks. Without it, the internet wouldn’t exist. (Radia Perlman)
Involved in the development of the systolic blood-pressure test used to detect deception which was used in the earliest polygraph machines. Got a law degree in defiance of her father, peddling cookbooks door-to-door to raise money for tuition. Advised her husband on the creation of Wonder Woman. Indexed the documents of the first fourteen Congresses, lectured on law, ethics, and psychology at American and New York Universities, served as an editor for Encyclopædia Britannica and McCall’s magazine. In 1933, became the assistant to the chief executive at Metropolitan Life Insurance, a position she held until she was 65 years old. Lived to be 100 years old (Elizabeth Holloway Marston)
Helped develop the process of separating uranium into the U-235 and U-238 isotopes by gaseous diffusion in the Manhattan Project. (Chien-Shiung Wu)
Invented a method of canning food at low temperatures, after realizing that vacuum sealing and replaced with syrup could preserve food and its flavor. (Amanda Jones)
Created Kevlar which has many uses aside from bulletproof vests, including fibre optic cables, safety helmets, brake pads & sports equipment. (Stephanie Kwolek)
Developed a new corn mill, helping corn become a cash crop for the American colonies. The patent was issued in her husband’s name, because the laws forbade women from owning property or entering into legal agreements. (Sybilla Masters)
Wrote the programming of the first computer and contributed hugely to Charles Babbage’s plans of the Analytical Engine, which was never built. (Ada Lovelace)
