Women’s History Month Spotlight: Computer Programming Innovations Led by Ada Lovelace
From programming software to providing deeper insights to breaking barriers and making social change, women have made a huge impact throughout the history of technology. For Women’s History Month, let’s take a look back at women who played a pivotal role in advancing technology and technology career opportunities for the women who have followed them. This week, we’re highlighting the developments of the first computer programmer, Ada Lovelace.
Growing up and living in the 1800s, Ada Lovelace had a curious mind and an instinct to approach things methodically. While her father was poet Lord Byron, Ada’s education was more influenced by her mother who decided to promote mathematics and related subjects, aiming to prevent Ada from following in her father’s footsteps. With technical topics at the forefront, Ada had a natural balance between the influences of both her parents.
Ada is known as the first computer programmer – not just the first female programmer. Her accomplishments are many. She was the key interpreter for Charles Babbage’s “Analytic Engine” design, where her translation added 12,000 additional words which consisted of her own notes and perspectives. Published in 1843, her translation represented “her greatest contribution to computer science: she described with clarity how Babbage’s device would work,” how it could perform certain calculations, and even the significance of the machine, although it was never fully built.
Because she was able to articulate the significance of the machine and its abilities to follow instructions and perform complex calculations, her translation of the “Analytic Engine” led to further advancements in computer programming. While there are still individuals who try to discredit her achievements, her work is recognized today for shedding light on the contributions of women in math and science, which historically have been overlooked.
By reflecting on significant women in the history of technology, we can gain an appreciation for the opportunities they helped unlock for women in tech today. Not only did these women lay the groundwork for many modern technologies, but they also made important strides for equality in the workplace. These women exemplify what it means to push forward when facing adversity; they paved the way and created more opportunities for future women in tech.
