Breaking the 20%  By  cover art

Breaking the 20%

By: BlackLemon Podcasts
  • Summary

  • Before computers were machines, they were women! For a span of two centuries the term "computer" was effectively interchangeable with a woman tasked with the role of a human calculator, adept at solving intricate mathematical problems. Then World War II started and men decided to build computers. Despite their zeal to build the machines, they had no interest in programming them, so they left the job to the women. Women, under the leadership of figures like Grace Hopper, played a pivotal role in shaping the burgeoning industry. And then, in 1984, everything changed. Women exited and the men became the programmers, the software engineers, and the "rock stars" of the digital epoch. Today merely 20% of IT degrees are being awarded to women. In this podcast with the help of my wonderful guests, we delve into the chronicles of these forgotten women, the trailblazers who guided us into the digital era.

    This podcast explores the amazing lives of women who pioneered the early years, and why the women left. We also talk about the women who are proving today that we can still make it, we can still lead the industry. And finally, we try to find the magic formula to break the 20% and bring back the women.

    Let's break the 20%!

    © 2024 Breaking the 20%
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Episodes
  • Alexa, tell me about the Siri-ously fascinating history of AI with Maria Terzi
    Jul 14 2024

    For the last episode of season 2 I am joined by Maria Terzi co-founder and CEO of AI and cybersecurity firm Malloc and we travel back in time to meet ELIZA, the great-grandmother of all chatbots. Then we follow the fascinating path that has led to today's sophisticated AI. Join us for a lighthearted look at the history of Artificial Intelligence, as we explore the milestones, mishaps, and downright funny moments that have shaped the development of artificial intelligence.

    more episodes at www.blacklemon.tv

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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • From ARPANET to Eternal September—Women’s .com legacy with Constantinos Psillides and Pavlos Pavlides
    Jun 30 2024

    In this episode we journey from the origins of ARPANET to the perpetual connectivity of Eternal September, highlighting the critical contributions of women in the evolution of the internet. With a comedic flare brought by my hilarious guests, Constantinos and Pavlos, we explore the transformative role these women played, featuring Jake Feinler the woman who gave us the ".com" and the brilliant Radia Perlman, whose poem encapsulates the essence of her groundbreaking work. Join us for a blend of laughter and learning as we delve into the stories of these digital pioneers.

    If you are looking for the Spanning Tree opera song you can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE_AbM8ZykI



    more episodes at www.blacklemon.tv

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Self-Made Billionaires with Michalis Strouthos
    Jun 15 2024

    In the latest episode, Michalis Strouthos returns to the studio as we dive into the fascinating story behind the rise of personal computing giants Microsoft and Apple, and their founders, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Through the lens of the 1999 TV movie "Pirates of Silicon Valley," we explore iconic moments and pivotal deals. Discover how these tech titans really made their mark—not through sheer genius alone, but with a hefty dose of luck, privilege, and some truly funny moments. Don't miss this entertaining deep dive into tech history.

    In the episode, we watch and comment on 3 clips. You can watch these clips below

    Are you a virgin? https://youtu.be/fwYy8R87JMA

    Macworld Expo 1999: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4anY51LF3aw

    IBM / Microsoft Negotiation: https://youtu.be/a5eoor0SXSM

    more episodes at www.blacklemon.tv

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    1 hr and 5 mins

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