⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4.5/5)

50 Women in Technology by Georgina Ferry is an inspiring and informative tribute to the groundbreaking women who have helped shape the world of technology. In this well-researched and engaging book, Ferry highlights the achievements of fifty women whose work in the tech field has often been overlooked or underappreciated. From the pioneers of early computing to contemporary leaders, the stories are diverse, rich in history, and deeply motivating.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its accessibility. While it tackles complex technological achievements, the writing is approachable and free of jargon, making it suitable for readers of all backgrounds. Each profile is concise yet detailed enough to capture the essence of the person’s contribution, along with the societal context in which they worked. The narrative spans various fields within technology, from computer science and programming to artificial intelligence and cyber security, offering a broad spectrum of stories.

The women featured range from famous icons like Ada Lovelace and Grace Hopper to lesser-known but equally impressive figures like Jean Jennings Bartik and Mary Lou Jepsen. Ferry masterfully weaves in the historical challenges these women faced, particularly the gender biases and societal barriers that often prevented them from receiving the recognition they deserved. This is a celebration of perseverance, intellect, and passion that will encourage young girls and women to pursue careers in STEM fields.
I liked the Ada Lovelace's explanation of 'winged flying machine', "To make a thing in the form of a horse with a steam engine on the inside so contrived as to move an immense pair of wings, fixed on the outside of the horse, in such a manner as to carry it up into the air while a person sits on its back."

Other figure that affected me was Ada Yonath because I read about her discovery with an Indian physicist and molecular biologist Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, a prominent figure in the world of science who is known for his groundbreaking work in structural biology, particularly in the study of the ribosome's structure and function. By the mid-1990s, her success had caught the attention of other researchers and brought them into the project. A wider team formed and they worked together for years. In 2000 and 2001 they successfully mapped in three dimensions, both subunits
of the bacterial ribosome, for the first time. This achievement led to Ada Yonath, Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and Thomas Steitz being awarded the Nobel prize in chemistry in 2009. She is now working on 'Protein Biosynthesis'.

About Venkat, as he can not be featured in '50 Women in Technology' (which only focuses on women in the tech field), his contributions are notable in the broader scientific and technological landscape.

Ramakrishnan's key accomplishments that could be relevant to the broader discussion of influential figures in STEM and technology include:

🥇Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2009): Ramakrishnan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside Thomas A. Steitz and Ada Yonath for their discoveries about the structure and function of the ribosome. His work revolutionized our understanding of protein synthesis at the molecular level, which has vast implications in fields ranging from biotechnology to medicine.

🏆Advanced Computational Tools: In his work, Ramakrishnan used sophisticated computational techniques, including X-ray crystallography, to visualize the ribosome's structure. This intersection of biology and technology is a crucial aspect of modern scientific research, where computational tools help us unlock the complexities of biological systems.

🧬Encouraging STEM Diversity: As a leading figure in scientific research, Ramakrishnan has been a proponent of diversifying the STEM fields, encouraging more women and underrepresented groups to enter science and technology careers. While this is not a central theme in 50 Women in Technology, the broader narrative of advocating for diversity in STEM aligns with Ramakrishnan's efforts.
In a book, which highlights pivotal figures in tech, the spirit of Ramakrishnan’s work aligns with the celebration of innovative contributions to scientific discovery and the broader technological ecosystem. His work exemplifies how science and technology can intersect to produce transformative discoveries, making him a relevant figure in discussions about impactful figures in STEM, including women who have shaped technology.

However, the book is not fully perfect. While the profiles are engaging, some might wish for a deeper dive into the technical aspects of the work these women did, as the book tends to focus more on personal stories and historical context. This makes it more suitable for a general audience rather than tech enthusiasts looking for a highly detailed technical exploration.

Overall, 50 Women in Technology is an empowering and insightful read that fills an important gap in the literature about women’s contributions to the tech world. Georgina Ferry has crafted a book that is both educational and celebratory, and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in technology, history, or inspiring stories of perseverance and success.

An inspiring collection that shines a much-deserved spotlight on the extraordinary accomplishments of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

From Katalin Kariko's pivotal work on mRNA technology to Marita Cheng's efforts to empower young women in robotics, each profile in this volume offers a glimpse into the remarkable journeys and diverse experiences of these trailblazers. The book's diverse representation, spanning fields such as computer science, aerospace engineering, and materials science, underscores the breadth and depth of women's impact on the STEM landscape.

In 50 Women in Technology, Georgina Ferry presents a vibrant tribute to the trailblazing women who have shaped and continue to shape the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This beautifully illustrated book profiles 25 historical figures, such as Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, alongside 26 contemporary innovators, including Katalin Kariko, the 2023 Nobel Prize winner for Medicine.

The book's structure is both engaging and informative. The first section highlights historical pioneers, offering concise but rich narratives that capture the essence of their contributions and challenges. From the mathematical genius of Ada Lovelace to the groundbreaking discoveries of Rosalind Franklin, these stories celebrate the perseverance and brilliance of women who paved the way in male-dominated fields. The inclusion of lesser-known figures, like Hertha Ayrton and Evelyn Berezin, provides readers with a broader understanding of women's impact on technology and science.

The second section brings readers into the present, showcasing the voices and achievements of contemporary women in STEM through exclusive interviews. These interviews offer a glimpse into the lives of today's innovators, such as Amalia Ballarino, a nuclear engineer, and Brenda Romero, a video game designer. The diverse backgrounds and specializations of these women—from cryptocurrency to environmental tech—highlight the wide range of opportunities in the STEM fields and the dynamic nature of technological advancements.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I couldn't put down this book- and I did not expect to be so engrossed in non fiction! I knew of many of the women presented in the first part, but not all, and going through their stories was mesmerizing- and then I got to the second part! Women at their top of their field from such different sectors and walks of life are presented in more details than their historic counterparts. It made me excited about domains I hadn't even heard about! This book is wonderful at any age, but as a teenager it would have been so inspiring to read! Recommended to everyone!

This was a wonderful collection of stories about women in technology, 50 women to be exact. Yes, I knew of some of these women, like Katherine Johnson and Marie Curie, but I learned about so many more. I was particularly interested in those involved in the biotech field and my reading has excited me to do some more research about the work of these women. *Advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Awesome inspiration to read about women in technology, science and astronomy of past and present. I enjoyed reading the stories and interviews which represented great achievements of women in different industries, research and innovation fields. This book can teach curiosity and believing in yourself, working through milestones and celebrating wins.

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.
While it seems to be geared toward teen girls, I think almost anyone could benefit from reading this. You can get more out of this book by reading a bit at a time because there are so many discrete stories about individual women. Frankly, I would read a couple of stories and close the book because I was annoyed that once again the women who did just as much on a scientific project got zero credit.
However, this book doesn't stop there. Besides the women in history, there are stories about contemporary women who are important in scientific fields and making real changes.
Both the historical women and the contemporary women had brief biographies, but the contemporary women also answered questions about their lives, such as what they are proud of and whether they have any regrets.
Reading through some of their projects gave me hope for the world, as their quite brilliant minds are being applied to real world problems that concern me.

Ines Almeida, Georgina Ferry, Bridget Greenwood, 50 Women in Technology Pioneers and Trailblazers in STEM, Aurora Metro Supernova Books, November 2023.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

As I have kindle download, I am unable to comment on the full colour nature of the book. However, I am pleased to be able to comment on the text of this most useful work. In particular, the combination of the stories of early women in technology, and those of today; discussion of unequal pay in the sciences; the excellent section on depiction of scientists in school studies and popular culture; and the writers’ experience imparts the information with heft as well as being accessible read.

More well-known names such as Ada Lovelace, Marie Curie, Hedy Lamarr are represented. However, they are joined by women who, although known in scientific circles have not entered popular culture about women in technology. Bridget Greenwood’s foreword sets out the purpose of this book – to enhance public knowledge of the women pioneers in technology. She suggests that the change that has been effected, is only a start, that more needs to be done to encourage women into technology and to keep them there. Quotations from uncorrected proofs cannot be included in reviews, so it is impossible to replicate some of the pithy and inspirational propositions included throughout the book – both from its editors and the women they to whom they give a voice. Suffice to say, they make an effective voice for these women.

Today’s women in technology, such as Emily Holmes (a psychologist working on mental imagery); Ida Tin, the CEO of Clue (a menstruation tracking app); Marita Cheng (Young Australian of the Year 2012); and Stephanie Willwerth who runs an interdisciplinary program at the University of Victoria, provide some wonderful interviews. Please note that these descriptions are brief and cannot convey the value of their work and discussion s of that work.

There are some fascinating photos – it is impossible to go past those of the mainframe computers from the 1950s even if they are familiar. Similarly, the Bletchley Park story is familiar – at least in its broad-brush strokes. Here there is detail, not only about the women’s work and their aptitude, but the fight to achieve anything like parity with men in occupations, wages and status. The book ends with a comprehensive index.

As a woman who works in STEM, I was really looking forward to reading this book. It did not disappoint. A breakdown of the last 75 years of scientific advancement opened the book, sorted chronologically. Then It focused on women who were pioneers in technology, starting with Ada Lovelace. The last section was about modern women in technology, and was really interesting. Even as someone who works in STEM, I learned a lot and there are women I intend to look into further.

Celebrating trailblazers past and present, this book pays tribute to pioneering women in STEM fields. It profiles 25 historical innovators like Ada Lovelace while also featuring over 26 exclusive interviews with today's extraordinary women driving advancements in technology.

This book is engaging, informative, and easy to read. The interviews will be especially interesting for students interested in a STEM career.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.