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The author profiles Maxwell "Max" Herman Alexander Newman, a noted figured in the early history of British computer science often associated with computer scientist Alan Turing. He looks at how Newman's mentorship of Turing as well as his work as a cryptanalyst during World War II, where he helped develop an electromechanical code-breaking machine known as "Heath Robinson," influenced computer science.

In the absence of a funding program or substantial support from industry, much research and many initiatives on women and computing in Great Britain follow a "self-help" style. Women and men who are interested in gender-related issues often find that they must maintain a research area more acceptable to the academic establishment as a primary interest. Despite this tension, women and computing is a lively research topic. The women into technology approach addresses the limited presence of women in information technology (IT), and focuses on education, training and equal opportunity initiatives to increase the number of women in the IT field. Sociological and philosophical approach focuses on the nature of IT work, the gendering of technology. There are a number of initiatives in Great Britain, but Women into Computing (WIM) has been the most active in this tradition. WIC provides a great deal of support and friendship for women starting up gender-oriented research program.