2 Hidden Pioneers of the Data Industry
The data storytelling and visualization contributions of Ida B. Wells-Barnett and W.E.B. DuBois
When people talk about the pioneers of the data industry, there’s a gravitation to highlight modern well-known computer scientists, artificial intelligence (AI) scientists and machine learning (ML) engineers. If you want a list of data experts, simply type ‘data science experts’, ‘top data scientists’ or ‘pioneers of data science’ on the interwebs. These people publish in well-known prestigious academic venues, interviewed on leading news outlets, podcasts and other media in addition to leading the continual development of tech products we all use everyday. Their work and their words are front and center in our data news feeds, social media timelines and conversations with colleagues. It’s human nature to discuss, leverage and critique their work in real time since we’re in theory able to engage with them to better understand their perspectives and decisions.
But let’s be honest, the data industry didn’t start with any of these modern-day data (science) experts. For instance, many people attribute the term ‘data science’ to DJ Patil and Jeff Hammerbacher in 2008, William S. Cleveland in 2001 or Jeff Wu in 1997. No, the term was coined in 1974 by Peter Naur in his published work, Concise Survey of…
