Skip to main content

NASA’s first software engineer: Margaret Hamilton - Matt Porter and Margaret Hamilton

388,090 Views

18,762 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

The Apollo 11 moon landing was about the astronauts, mission control, software and hardware all working together as a seamless integrated system. None of which would have been possible without the contributions of one engineer: Margaret Hamilton. Who was this pioneer? Matt Porter and Margaret Hamilton detail how a woman and her team launched the software that took mankind to the Moon.

WatchThink Dig Deeper Discuss
The _________ would interrupt astronaut’s regularly scheduled tasks to warn them of emergencies. The astronaut could then communicate with Mission Control to determine the best path forward.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Matt Porter
  • Director Franco Barroeta Fonseca
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Storyboard Artist José Ali Sánchez
  • Animator José Ali Sánchez, Vidal Barrera, Santiago Carreto, César García, Irma Arellano, Ricardo González, Daniela Leal
  • Compositor Julián André, Blas Cernicchiaro
  • Art Director Carolina Porrero , José Ali Sánchez
  • Sound Designer Julián André
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Associate Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Script Editor Iseult Gillespie
  • Fact-Checker Eden Girma
  • Collaborator Susan Norton

More from Inventions that Shape History