In order to write invent COBOL Rear Admiral Grace Hopper had to invent programming languages, compilers, linkers and the entire modern IT industry - and then she had to implement them, without a programming language or a compiler or a linker.
It is also important to remember that COBOL was the result of design by committee in the attempt to please all parties and not her opus. This is an incredible book about her life and contribution: http://www.amazon.com/Invention-Information-Lemelson-Studies...
That is the TAO of COBOL - the mother of us all.