Word video 13 : The Forgotten Women Behind the First Computer

 Welcome! Today, we shine a light on the forgotten women who played pivotal roles in the creation of the first computer. While history often celebrates the men behind these inventions, these women’s contributions were crucial to shaping the future of technology. Let’s uncover their hidden stories!

The history of computing is often told as a tale of men—Charles Babbage, Alan Turing, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs. But tucked away in the shadows of this narrative are the stories of the women whose pioneering contributions were vital to the development of the first computer and the entire field of computing. These women not only made the first computers possible, but also broke new ground in mathematics, engineering, and programming. Yet, for much of history, their stories have remained largely unrecognized. This article will shine a light on some of the key women who played pivotal roles in creating the first computer, challenging the idea that the computer revolution was solely a male-driven enterprise.

The Birth of Computing and the First Women in Computing

The origins of the computer trace back to the 19th century, when mathematician and inventor Charles Babbage conceived the idea of a mechanical device capable of performing mathematical calculations. Babbage’s machine, known as the Analytical Engine, was a visionary creation that laid the groundwork for modern computers. However, Babbage never completed his machine, due to financial difficulties and other obstacles.

While Babbage is often regarded as the "father of the computer," it was the women who worked with him who played crucial roles in bringing his ideas to life. Their contributions were foundational to the development of computing, but history has often overlooked their roles. These women were not just assistants—they were the pioneers of computing in their own right.

Ada Lovelace: The First Computer Programmer

Ada Lovelace, an English mathematician and writer, is often considered the world's first computer programmer. Lovelace’s connection to Babbage is integral to understanding the early development of the computer. In the 1830s, Babbage enlisted Ada to translate an Italian paper on his Analytical Engine into English. As she translated, Ada went above and beyond by adding her own notes to the document.

In one of her notes, Ada outlined an algorithm for the Analytical Engine to compute Bernoulli numbers. This algorithm is now considered to be the first computer program, making Ada the first person to conceive of software as we know it today. Ada recognized that the machine could be used not only for mathematical calculations but for more abstract tasks, a concept that was far ahead of its time.

Despite her brilliant work, Ada’s contributions were largely forgotten for over a century. She died young in 1852 at the age of 36, and it wasn’t until the 20th century that her achievements gained recognition. Today, Ada Lovelace is celebrated as one of the most influential figures in the history of computing, with institutions and awards named in her honor.

The Women Who Worked on the ENIAC

In the 1940s, the world was in the midst of World War II, and the race for technological innovation was on. During this period, the development of the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), one of the first general-purpose electronic digital computers, was underway at the University of Pennsylvania. The project was led by men, but it was the contributions of a group of women who worked as “computers” (a term for people who performed calculations) that made the ENIAC possible.

These women were responsible for calculating the complex ballistic trajectories that would help the U.S. military during the war. Though their work was foundational to the development of the ENIAC, they were not initially credited for their contributions. The women who worked on the ENIAC were often overshadowed by their male counterparts, but in recent years, their stories have finally come to light.

The ENIAC Programmers, as they came to be known, were a group of six women: Kay McNulty, Betty Snyder, Frances Bilas, Ruth Teitelbaum, Margaret Hamilton, and Jean Bartik. These women were tasked with programming the ENIAC, a machine that was far ahead of its time. Programming the ENIAC was no small feat—there were no modern programming languages or tools, and the programmers had to write the machine's code using punched cards and complex mathematical formulas.

Kay McNulty, one of the primary programmers, later recalled the difficulty of her work: “We didn’t know we were making history. We were just doing our job.” But the impact of their work cannot be overstated. The women who programmed the ENIAC were the first to develop the concept of computer programming, laying the foundation for everything that followed in the computing world.

Grace Hopper: The Queen of Code

One of the most well-known women in the history of computing is Grace Hopper, a U.S. Navy rear admiral and computer scientist. Grace Hopper’s contributions to computing were groundbreaking, and she is often referred to as the “Queen of Code” for her pioneering work in developing computer programming languages.

In the 1950s, while working at Remington Rand, Hopper led a team that created one of the first programming languages, COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language). COBOL was designed to be user-friendly and accessible, making it easier for businesses and organizations to use computers. The development of COBOL revolutionized the way computers were used in industry and is still in use today in many legacy systems.

Hopper’s other major contribution to computing was her invention of the compiler, a tool that translates human-readable programming code into machine code. The compiler was essential in making programming more efficient and laid the groundwork for modern programming languages. Hopper’s contributions were instrumental in shaping the field of software engineering, and her legacy continues to influence the industry today.

The Women Who Pioneered Early Software

While many of the women who contributed to the first computers are often overshadowed by their male counterparts, there were others who made significant contributions to early software development. Jean Jennings Bartik, one of the six women who worked on the ENIAC, went on to have a successful career in computing. Bartik worked on the development of the UNIVAC I (Universal Automatic Computer), one of the first commercially available computers.

In addition to the women who worked on ENIAC and COBOL, many other women were involved in the creation of early computer systems. For example, Mary Allen Wilkes was one of the first to develop software for the Linc computer, an early minicomputer that helped lay the foundation for modern computing.

Overcoming Gender Bias and Recognition

Despite their vital contributions to the field of computing, many of these women faced significant gender bias throughout their careers. In the 1940s and 1950s, the field of computing was still seen as a male-dominated profession, and the contributions of women were often downplayed or ignored.

However, over the last few decades, there has been a concerted effort to recognize the work of these women and give them the credit they deserve. Today, many of the women who helped shape the world of computing are being honored for their groundbreaking work. Grace Hopper, for example, has become a celebrated figure in the world of technology, with the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing being one of the largest gatherings of women in the tech industry.

Thanks for watching! These remarkable women paved the way for the technological advancements we take for granted today. Which woman’s story resonated with you the most? Hit subscribe for more untold stories from history, and I’ll see you in the next video!