Sharla Boehm: The Programmer Whose Code Underpins the Internet

Sharla Boehm: The Programmer Whose Code Underpins the Internet

From Lost Women of Science by Lost Women of Science

May 14, 2026 · 27 min

About this episode

Sharla Boehm discusses her groundbreaking work in computer programming that laid the foundation for the modern internet.

Sharla Boehm earned a teaching degree from UCLA before channeling her talent for math into computer programming. While working at the Rand Corporation, she built a ground-breaking simulation, originally conceived to strengthen military communications during the Cold War. The simulation –and her work– would ultimately lay the foundation for the modern internet. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

People in this episode

Guest: Sharla Boehm

Topics covered

  • computer programming
  • military communications
  • Cold War
  • modern internet
  • simulation

Keywords

  • Sharla Boehm
  • computer programming
  • Rand Corporation
  • Cold War
  • internet foundation
  • simulation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Rand Corporation

Places: UCLA

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