
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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