Women’s History Month: Spotlighting the Women of ENIAC 6
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 work of the women of the ENIAC 6.
In the 1940s, a “computer” was a human who did complex calculations. This role was commonly filled by women. During World War II, some of these “computers” were responsible for computing the ballistic trajectories of artillery shells.
Around this time, the first large-scale general-purpose electronic computer, known as the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), was developed to make the calculation process faster and more efficient. While two men developed the hardware, there were six women who created the methodology to program the machine, including programs for computing ballistic trajectories.
These women, known as the ENIAC 6, were Kathleen McNulty, Frances Bilas, Betty Snyder, Marlyn Wescoff, Ruth Lichterman, and Jean Jennings. Their work not only included programming the electronic computer for ballistic trajectories but also the early versions of flowcharting and debugging programs. When it came to presenting the ENIAC in 1946, the women were asked to be hostesses, serving coffee to the all-male audience of attendees, rather than being at the front, presenting and answering questions.
The stories and accomplishments of these six women were not recognized until years later. While attending the ENIAC’s 40th anniversary, Kathy Kleiman met four of the women, then shed light on their work in her book “Proving Ground” as well as a film “The Computers: The Remarkable Story of the ENIAC Programmers.”
Sharing the stories of these women in history not only provides perspectives on how far women in tech have come, but also encourages women to pursue involvement in the tech industry. Learning about the women who made a difference in history can inspire what we do now to create more opportunities and continue paving the path for the future women in tech.
