And now for something completely different!

24/03/2010 by Missus Toast.

Today is Ada Lovelace Day!  You may be asking, “Who is Ada Lovelace, why does she have her own day, and why is Missus writing about her?”

Ada Lovelace is regarded as the world’s first computer programmer – working in conjunction Charles Babbage, the famous mathematician and engineer who is credited as being the ‘Father of the Computer’, she created an encoded algorithm which is now considered to be the world’s first computer programmer.  She also predicted that one day these computing machines could do far more than crunch numbers, including creating music.   Windows 7?  Her idea, probably.  

As a lifelong geek and technophile, I’ve always found her influence on modern computer sciences to be pretty impressive.  The influence of her work has been both practical and inspirational.   Apart from helping to light the way for those who followed, she had a programming language named after her, the British Computer Society hands out a medal with her name on it, and Microsoft have used her portrait on their product authenticity hologram stickers.   It’s a fairly impressive way to leave your mark on the world for anybody, but particularly impressive when you remember she was a woman who lived in the early to mid 19^th century, prematurely popping her clogs at the age of 37.  Given that women today still often have to struggle against preconceived notions that they’re somehow limited when it comes to science and maths because they possess a set of ovaries, her achievements are incredible.

So once a year, people in tech like to remind the world that not only are there more notable faces in the history of science, technology  and engineering than just Bill Gates, some of them are actually women.  As a woman in technology myself, I feel obliged to honour the cause.  So, who to write about?

It’s a tough one for me, because I’ve worked with so many amazing talented women – 3d artists, programmers, etc.  Obviously I’ve worked with equally talented men, but they generally haven’t been treated like some sort of freakish aberration for their interests and careers by friends, family and colleagues!  So in a bold move (and in a vague attempt to keep this post in keeping with the rest of the blog) I give you…

Roxy Lo!

 Roxy Lo is an industrial engineer, and in a portfolio that includes products ranging from Camelbaks to diving lights there is also….the Ibis Mojo.    Without her, there would be one less bike in our living room.  Roxy Lo, we salute you!

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