Lisa Gelobter was born in Washington D.C. in the 1970s and grew up in New York City. She attended Brown University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in 1987. Gelobter went on to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Film from New York University Tisch School of the Arts. Her diverse educational background allowed her to explore both her technical and creative interests.
Lisa Gelobter’s career in the tech industry began in the mid-1990s, where she worked for companies such as America Online, Netscape, and the World Wide Web Consortium. Her work focused on creating and implementing web technologies such as animated Gifs, HTML, XML, and JavaScript. Gelobter played a significant role in the development of these technologies, which are still widely used today.
One of Lisa's most significant contributions to the tech industry was her role in the creation of Shockwave, a browser plug-in that allowed for the streaming of audio and video content over the internet. Shockwave was a breakthrough technology at the time and played a major role in the rise of online multimedia. Gelobter’s work on Shockwave earned her the nickname “The Mother of the Internet” by Business Insider in 2014.
In addition to her work in the tech industry, Gelobter has also been involved in social activism and political campaigns. She was a founding member of the Obama for America campaign’s tech team in 2008, where she led the team that created the online donation platform. Gelobter has also worked with organizations such as Black Girls Code and the Kapor Center for Social Impact to promote diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.
Gelobter’s achievements in the tech industry and her commitment to social activism have made her a significant figure in the world of technology. Her work has not only impacted the tech industry but also society as a whole. As we celebrate Black History Month, it is important to recognize and honor the contributions of Black individuals like Lisa Gelobter who have made significant contributions to their fields and society as a whole.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Gelobter
https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/lisa-gelobter-1971/