Oral history interview with Nancy Gunther

Abstract

Nancy Gunther grew up in Mason City, Iowa, attended the local community college then majored in mathematics (including computing) at the University of Iowa. In 1966 she went to work for Sperry Rand Univac in St. Paul. She worked as a programmer initially in Advanced Tactical Systems using assembly language and Compiler Monitor System for 18 bit computers. She describes and compares working conditions and company culture in St. Paul and also, from 1967 forward, at the Navy Systems department (Eagan MN) as well as in Montreal (1984-1987). Her technical work focused on operating systems and command-and-control systems for navy ships and submarines. She describes the culture changes with the merger between Sperry and Burroughs to create Unisys.

This material is based on work funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation award B2014-07 “Tripling Women’s Participation in Computing (1965-1985).”