Sharla Boehm earned a teaching degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, before she channeled her talent for math into computer programming. While working at the RAND Corporation, she built a groundbreaking simulation, originally conceived to strengthen military communications during the cold war. The simulation—and her work—would ultimately lay the foundation for the modern Internet. LISTEN TO THE PODCASTOn supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supp...