Erna Schneider Hoover

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Dr. Erna Schneider Hoover (b. 1926) invented a method for prioritizing processes within stored program control switching systems while working at Bell Laboratories.

This method gave priority to processes that were concerned with in the input and output of the switch over processes that were less important such as record keeping and billing. This allowed for more robust service to callers during peak load times.

The patent on the system is one of the first software patents ever issued (Patent #3623007, November 23, 1971) and the principles of the system are still in use today. The invention earned her a position as the first female supervisor of a technical department at Bell Labs.

Hoover received her B.A. in medieval history from Wellesley College, and Ph.D. in the philosophy and foundations of mathematics from Yale University.