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Mainframe Trailblazers: Jean Sammet

Jan 31, 2025

Trivia

Mainframe Trailblazers - Jean Sammet

Sonja Soderlund

Sonja Soderlund is an Oregon-based B2B freelance writer. Whether writing about mainframe computers, educational technology, or sustainable retail, she strives to bring clarity to complex issues. Connect with her or LinkedIn.

This week’s edition of Trivia Challenge focuses on the career of one of the twentieth century’s legendary mainframe trailblazers, Jean Sammet. 

Being born a female in 1928 didn’t exactly make for an easy path to an award-winning career in computer technology, but Sammet was one of the women who was destined to beat the odds. As  the child of lawyers, she displayed an early enthusiasm for mathematics, but was not allowed to attend the male-only Bronx High School of Science.

Undeterred, Sammet completed  a BA in Mathematics from Mount Holyoke College in 1948—and while completing her MA in Mathematics from the University of Illinois  at Urbana- Champaign she first encountered a computer. Was it love at first sight? Famously, it was not. In fact, Sammet referred to the early marvel of computing technology as “an obscene piece of hardware.” 

Nevertheless, her early career at Sperry Gyroscope saw her working as a programmer for the company’s first digital computer—the Sperry Electronic Digital Automatic Computer (SPEEDAC). The rest is history, which you can learn more about by taking our quiz! 

1. Jean Sammet was a pioneer in which field?

 
 
 
 

2. Jean Sammet was one of the key figures in the development of which programming language?

 
 
 
 

3. What was Jean Sammet’s role in the creation of COBOL?

 
 
 
 

4. In addition to COBOL, Jean Sammet also developed which early programming language?

 
 
 
 

5. FORMAC, developed by Jean Sammet, was primarily used for what purpose?

 
 
 
 

6. Jean Sammet worked for which major technology company during her career?

 
 
 
 

7. Jean Sammet was the first female president of which professional organization?

 
 
 
 

8. Which of the following is a significant publication by Jean Sammet?

 
 
 
 

9. Jean Sammet was recognized for her contributions to computing with several prestigious awards. Which award was she not given?

 
 
 
 

10. What was Jean Sammet’s major contribution to the mainframe computing era?

 
 
 
 

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