Rebeca Guber facts for kids

Rebeca Cherep de Guber (born July 2, 1926 – died August 25, 2020) was an important Argentine mathematician and computer scientist. She was also a university professor and wrote textbooks. In the 1960s, she helped start the field of computer science in Argentina.

Rebeca Guber's Life

Rebeca Cherep was born in Avellaneda, a town near Buenos Aires, Argentina. She studied at the National University of La Plata. She earned her PhD in mathematics and later taught at the University of Buenos Aires. She taught in the science and engineering departments there.

Rebeca married José Guber, who was an engineer. They had a daughter named Rosana Guber.

In 1960, Rebeca was part of a group of scientists and teachers. They created the Argentine Calculation Society. This group was led by Manuel Sadosky. Years before, Rebeca and Manuel had written a math textbook together. It was called Elements of Differential and Integral Calculus. This book became very popular for science and engineering students. It has been printed many times since it first came out.

The Calculation Institute

The Calculation Institute (IC) was part of the University of Buenos Aires. It started around 1959. Rebeca Guber became the Technical Secretary there on June 6, 1960. A few months later, a special computer arrived. It was called Clementina. This computer was very big, about 18 meters (59 feet) long. Clementina was the first computer used for science research in Argentina. It started working at the IC.

Rebeca Guber remembered her work there:

"After 1955, Manuel [Sadosky] taught the Analysis I course, and I helped him with the practical work. When the Calculation Institute was created, Manuel asked me to be his chief of operations. It was a very busy and rewarding time. Manuel planned what we would do, and I made sure everything happened. I had to manage about seventy people."

Rebeca Guber's work was very important. She helped a lot with setting up and using the famous Clementina computer.

Rebeca Guber and her friend Cecilia Berdichevsky were two of the many women mathematicians. They were key to the early success of computer science in Argentina.

Changes at the University

In 1966, there was a big change in Argentina's government. The president was removed from power. This event is known as the Night of the Long Batons. Because of this, many scientists and researchers left their jobs at universities. The Calculation Institute was almost completely shut down.

After Rebeca Guber, Juan Ángel Chamero, and David Jacovkis left their positions, they started a new company. It was called Scientific Technical Advisors (ACT). Manuel Sadosky led this new company. They did this to keep their research and work going, so it wouldn't be completely lost.

Working for the Government

Argentina became a democracy again at the end of 1983. Raúl Alfonsín was elected president. Rebeca Guber continued to work with Manuel Sadosky. He was named the Nation's Secretary of Science and Technology.

Rebeca Guber's Legacy

To honor Rebeca Guber, a room in the Calculus Institute is named after her. It is called the Rebeca Cherep de Guber Classroom.

See also

In Spanish: Rebeca Guber para niños