15 Tech Pioneers

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    Computer Pioneer Birth Dates

  • Ada Lovelace

    Ada Lovelace is presently credited with being the first computer programmer in history.
    Born: December 10, 1915
    Died: November 27, 1852
    Ada Lovelace: Founder of Scientific Computing
  • Edith Clarke

    Edith Clarke
    She made what is known as the Clarke Calculator, which set the tone for computer circuits later in the future. She is considered to have been the first female engineer.
    Born: February 10, 1883
    Died: October 29, 1959
  • Reynold Johnson

    Reynold Johnson
    He is said to have been the Father of the Disk Drive, although he also invented automatic test-scoring systems.
    Born: July 16, 1906
    Died: September 15, 1998
  • Alan Turing

    Alan Turing
    He is considered the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence. He developed most of his work on computer science during World War II.
    Born: June 23, 1912
    Died: June 7, 1954
    Alan Turing's Biography
  • Ralph Baer

    Ralph Baer
    He was reknown as the Father of Video Games, and he created the first light gun.
    Born: March 8, 1922
    Died: December 4, 2014
    Ralph H. BaerWas reknown as the Father of Video Games. He developed the first light gun as well.
  • Jean Bartik

    Jean Bartik
    She was one of the developers and first programmers of the ENIAC.
    Born: December 27, 1924
    Died: March 23, 2011
  • Philip D. Estridge

    Philip D. Estridge
    He was known as the Father of the IBM Personal Computer, which allowed users to program their computer themselves for the first time.
    Born: June 23, 1937
    Died: August 2, 1985
    IBM Archives: Philip D. Estridge
  • Barbara Liskov

    Barbara Liskov
    Developed the operating system 'Venus' and an object-oriented database. Not to mention she came up with the Liskov Substitution Principle.
    Born: November 7, 1939
    -Still Present
  • Nolan Bushnell

    Nolan Bushnell
    He invented the first computerized video game, 'Computer Space'. He also came up with the concept of family-friendly restaurants with video gaming facilities.
    Born: February 5, 1943
    -Still Present
  • Vint Cerf

    Vint Cerf
    Known as the 'Father of the Internet', and co-designer of the TCP/IP protocols and the architecture of the Internet.
    Born: June 23, 1943
    -Still Present
    Vint Cerf's ContributionsRecognized as one of the 'fathers of the internet'. Co-designer of TCP/IP.
  • Steve Jobs

    Steve Jobs
    Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc. He was also the Primary investor and CEO of Disney's Pixar.
    Born: February 24, 1955
    Died: October 5, 2011
  • Tim Berners-Lee

    Tim Berners-Lee
    Invented the World Wide Web in 1989.
    Born: June 8, 1955
    -Still Present
    Tim Berners-Lee Short Biography
  • Bill Gates

    Bill Gates
    He founded Microsoft on April 4th, 1975.
    Born: October 28, 1955
    -Still Present
    Bill Gates Biography
  • Linus Torvalds

    Linus Torvalds
    He was the principal force behind the Linux operating system and computer design.
    Born: December 28, 1969
    -Still Present
  • Aaron Levie

    Aaron Levie
    Aaron Levie and BoxCo-founder and CEO of the enterprise cloud company Box.
    Born: December 7, 1985
    -Still Present