IT Legends: Technology's Most Pioneering and Innovative Heroes

Ken Olsen: The Founder of Digital Equipment Corporation Who Changed How We Worked In today's world, we experience the power and ubiquity of technology on almost a daily basis, with vast amounts of data processing, communications and computing moving at lightning speed. Few people, however, are aware of the vision and leadership of an early computing pioneer, Ken Olsen, who made it all possible. Born in 1926, Olsen envisioned a world where computers could be accessible to everyone, not just a select few. He realized this by founding Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in 1957, an unprecedented project that enabled widespread computer usage in businesses. In fact, the DEC PDP-8 computer is considered to be the first computer of its kind to become available to individual consumers. This feat ultimately proved integral to the evolution of computing, leading way to the every-growing technology-driven age that we live in today. As such, Ken Olsen is not only one of the most influential...

Hedy Lamarr: The Hollywood Star Who Pioneered Wireless Communications In a career that spanned from the golden age of Hollywood to the present day, it is impossible to overlook the contributions made by Hedy Lamarr. Her name instantly brings to mind a glamorous image of a golden age movie star, but what is less known is her crucial role as an innovative scientist in pioneering American technology and providing the basis for today's wireless communications. Born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler in Vienna, Austria in 1914, Hedy gradually made her way to the world stage as an actress, appearing in European films in the early 1930s. Waves of scandal followed the Austrian beauty as she was known for her risqué roles and unveiled nudity before the Hays Code implemented further restrictions on movie content circa 1934. By 1939, Hedy had made her way to Hollywood where she dominated the silver screen with her roles in films like Comrade X, Boom Town, and most notably her role in Cecil B. DeMill...