“From the 1970s to 1999, I was recognized for breaking the gender barrier in the computer science field as a woman. In 2000, I began breaking the transgender barrier.” -Lynn Conway
Your ability to read this on your phone or computer today is thanks, in part, to Lynn Conway.
Conway, a computer scientist, electrical engineer, inventor, and transgender advocate, left an indelible mark on both modern computing and the fight for transgender rights. Born in 1938, her career has spanned decades, with pivotal contributions to VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) chip design.
Born in Mount Vernon, NY, Conway displayed an early passion for science and math. One summer in high school, she built a 6-inch, 150 mm reflector telescope after becoming fascinated with astronomy. Soon after, in 1955, she enrolled at MIT, but left in 1959, prior to finishing her degree, following a particularly traumatic incident as she began transitioning. Conway has extensively documented her life during this time in her biographical writings, offering insights into her experiences transitioning in the 1950s.
After leaving MIT, Conway spent several years working at an electronics store, while also traveling to San Francisco and exploring other parts of her identity. Eventually, she resumed her education at Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science, earning her bachelor’s (1962) and master’s (1963) degrees in electrical engineering. At this point, Lynn had not yet transitioned and was reluctantly trying to compartmentalize and suppress her trans identity.
In 1964, Conway joined IBM Research, where she soon began working with the architecture team to design an advanced supercomputer. She contributed to the Advanced Computing Systems (ACS) project and dynamic instruction scheduling. During her time at IBM, she also began transitioning. In 1968, she informed IBM of her plans to medically transition, even gaining support from close colleagues and managers. However, she was soon fired by higher management, who claimed that her transition would cause distress to other employees. This dismissal uprooted her life, but despite the challenges, she continued her transition and eventually sought new employment.
In 1969, Lynn found a job as a contract programmer with Computer Applications, Inc., before moving on to Memorex as a digital systems designer and computer architect. In 1973, she was recruited by Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) to work on chip design. By 1977, while leading research at PARC, she co-authored a book with Carver Mead, a professor at Caltech, titled Introduction to VLSI Systems. Published in 1980, this book laid the foundation for future microprocessor chip design and influenced many technological innovations. Her research and designs helped streamline the development of microprocessors, simplifying the process for engineers to create complex integrated circuits.
In 1983, Lynn was recruited by the Department of Defense to serve as Assistant Director for Strategic Computing at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). In this role, she led groundbreaking research into machine intelligence technology for the DoD. Two years later, in 1985, she became a professor of computer science and electrical engineering at the University of Michigan, eventually serving as associate dean of the engineering school. Over the next 15 years, she helped build its engineering program, retiring in 1999 as professor emerita of electrical engineering and computer science.
Around this time, in 1999, computer historians began investigating her early innovations at IBM. Anticipating that her gender history would soon become public, she, with the support of her husband Charlie (they’ve been together since 1987), chose to reveal her story online, including the reason for her departure from IBM. Her decision to come out publicly came after learning that an article was being written about her past work, one that would inevitably out her.
After coming out as transgender in 2000, Lynn became involved in transgender activism, championing the rights of transgender individuals and advocating for equal opportunities and workplace protections, particularly in the tech industry. She tirelessly worked to expand and protect transgender rights, using her platform to push for greater inclusion and equity in both society and the workforce.
In 2020, 52 years after her dismissal, IBM issued a formal apology to Lynn and awarded her a lifetime achievement award. Lynn’s story is meticulously documented in her own words on her website, which, candidly, was one of the most emotional things I’ve ever read. Lynn passed away in June 2024, after decades of pioneering work. Her legacy continues to shape both technology and society, proving that resilience, authenticity, and innovation can change the world.
References & Readings
Lynn Conway's Retrospective
IBM apologizes for firing a transgender pioneer, 52 years late
Lynn Conway, 1938-2024: The Computer Architect Who Helped to Revolutionize Digital IC Design
Lynn Conway reflects on her gender transition
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