On this day, the world first computer bug reported in 1947
On this day during on September 09, 1947, a team of computer scientists and engineers reported the world first computer bug. A bug is a flaw or glitch in a system. However, this was no ordinary ‘software bug’. It was a real-life moth that was causing the issues with the computer’s hardware.
Thomas Edison reported “bugs” in his designs as during early as the 1800s. However, this was the first bug identify in a computer.
Around 03:45 P.M., computer-language pioneer Navy Admiral Grace Hopper records ‘the first computer bug’ in the Harvard Mark II computer’s logbook. The problem was trace to a moth stuck between relay contacts in the computer. Which Hopper duly taped into the Mark II’s logbook with the explanation.
“First actual case of bug being found.”
The bug was actually found by others but Hopper made the logbook entry.
Today, software bugs can impact the functioning, safety, and security of computer operating systems. “Debugging” and bug management are important parts of the computer science industry.
Amazing Grace
Grace Brewster Murray Hopper was an American computer scientist and United States Navy rear admiral. Grace, who earned a mathematics doctorate from Yale University in 1934, and she was one of the first programmers of the Harvard Mark I the computer.
She was a pioneer of computer programming who invented the first English-language data-processing compiler, which laid the foundation for the development of machine-independent programming languages, like COBOL that she helped develop.
Her belief is that programming languages should be as easily understood.
She was born on December 9, 1906, in New York, USA, and died January 01, 1992, at aged 85.
Recognition
Admiral Grace Murray Hopper received many awards and commendations for her accomplishments. In 1969, Grace was award the first-ever Computer Science Man-of-the-Year Award from the Data Processing Management Association.
The Sperry Corporation initiated an annual award in her name to honor young computer professionals for their significant contributions to computer science in 1971.
She was became the first person from the United States and the first woman of any nationality to be made a Distinguish Fellow of the British Computer Society in 1973.
She was often know as “Amazing Grace”. During on November 22, 2016, United States President Barack Obama posthumously awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to pioneering computer scientist and Navy Admiral Grace Hopper.
After four decades of pioneering work, Admiral Hopper felt her greatest contribution had been “all the young people I’ve trained.”
She was an inspirational professor and a much sought-after speaker, in some years she addressed more than 200 audiences. In her speeches, Admiral Hopper often used analogies and examples that have become legendary.
When Admiral Grace Murray Hopper died, the world lost the inspiration to women and scientists everywhere. Her outstanding contributions to computer science benefited academia, industry, and the military.
Grace work spanned programming languages, software development concepts, compiler verification, and data processing. Grace’s early recognition of the potential for commercial applications of computers, and her leadership and perseverance in making this vision a reality, paved the way for modern data processing.
