After graduating from high school in 1954, Hamilton pursued a degree in Mathematics at the University of Michigan. Eventually transferring to Earlham college in 1958 to complete her degree.
Was contracted in 1961 at M.I.T. by NASA to write the Apollo program’s guidance software code. Pioneering the new and unfamiliar world of coding and software engineering.
Coined the term “Software Engineer” to describe her role in developing the in-flight systems software and Priority Displays for the Apollo command module, lunar lander, and Skylab.
As Apollo 11’s lunar lander module descended to the Moon, a computer error appeared. Margaret and Nasa’s software engineers reacted quickly to give a “Go/No Go” for the moon landing.
President Barack Obama awarded Hamilton the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her pioneering spirit and dedication to NASA in 2016.
Hamilton would continue to lead and develop the field of software, eventually starting her own company, “Hamilton Technology,” in 1986.
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Computer Scientist
Enshrined: 2022
Birth: August 17, 1936
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