Grace Hopper is one of the founders of Programming languages and was the first person to devise the theory of machine-independent programming languages which she then used to develop the FLOW-MATIC programming language and COBOL. She had a phenomenal impact on the field of Computer Science/Engineering and her lectures are extremely interesting to watch as even after 40 years the concepts she talks about are still relevant. The NSA has finally released the video recording of a 1982 lecture by Adm. Grace Hopper titled “Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People.”
Initially they refused to do so because “With digital obsolescence threatening many early technological formats, the dilemma surrounding Admiral Hopper’s lecture underscores the critical need for and challenge of digital preservation. This challenge transcends the confines of NSA’s operational scope. It is our shared obligation to safeguard such pivotal elements of our nation’s history, ensuring they remain within reach of future generations. While the stewardship of these recordings may extend beyond the NSA’s typical purview, they are undeniably a part of America’s national heritage.”.
Thankfully after a massive push from the all over the world to get NSA to release the video saner minds prevailed and the entirety of the lecture has been released in two parts. You can watch them below:
Capt. Grace Hopper on Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People (Part One, 1982)
Capt. Grace Hopper on Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People (Part Two, 1982)
Since I don’t trust online systems to keep information available indefinitely, I have also archived the lectures on my system so if they disappear in the future I will have copies I can publish.
– Suramya