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Archives => 2008 => Topic started by: Texas Mac Man on November 10, 2008, 08:21:08 PM

Title: The top 10 greatest geeks of all time
Post by: Texas Mac Man on November 10, 2008, 08:21:08 PM
The top 10 greatest geeks of all time

Title: The top 10 greatest geeks of all time
Post by: Jack W on November 11, 2008, 09:24:39 AM
I had the priviege of attending two of Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper's talks at DECUS conferences.

And of course, she was wearing her Navy uniform when she spoke.

Quite an intelligent lady and a remarkable speaker.

One of my favorites of her sayings is:

"If you see something that you know needs to be done, go ahead and do it.
It is far easier to apologize afterwards, than to get permission before."

- Jack
Title: The top 10 greatest geeks of all time
Post by: RHPConsult on November 11, 2008, 11:00:42 AM
Thanks, Tom.

Fascinating.

I confess to forgetting about my Curta of so many years ago. The account of its invention was nothing less than astounding.

Recently, while looking through some old photos of many, many, many years ago, I discovered one of yerz truly lecturing in a classroom that had an "instructional" slide rule hanging above the black board, approximately 30" X 10-12', at least.  Remember?

If anyone needs to know to what devices those latter terms refer (i.e. slide rule and black board) simply send me a SASE and I'll explain!  whistling.gif

Oh my! toothgrin.gif
Title: The top 10 greatest geeks of all time
Post by: krissel on November 14, 2008, 05:53:16 AM
Grace Hopper

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57bfxsiVTd4
Title: The top 10 greatest geeks of all time
Post by: Gregg on November 14, 2008, 06:57:18 AM
Though not mentioned, at least two of them have ties to my alma mater.  blows on knuckles and rubs on chest (now kris will find a smilie for that)
Title: The top 10 greatest geeks of all time
Post by: MamaMoose on November 15, 2008, 02:42:07 AM
Although not really a computer guy, Richard Feynman was IMHO one the great geeks. He was 18 or so when he was at Los Alamos. He actually solved nuclear bomb equations using at that time the new IBM Card Programmed Calculates. When he was teaching advanced graduate physics at Cal Tech, he would stop in the middle of writing out an equation, sit down at his desk and  tap out a few beats as he invented a new bongo riff. He then get up and go to the blackboard and continue the equation without missing a symbol!

MamaMoose
Title: The top 10 greatest geeks of all time
Post by: Xairbusdriver on November 15, 2008, 04:55:18 PM
He used cymbals, too?! WOW.gif