First Computer Bug Discovered in Harvard Mark II
September 9th, 1947
September 9th, 1947
How Long Ago?
77 years, 6 months, 7 days ago
Location
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Category
Science & Technology
People
- Grace Hopper
Links & References
Tags
First Computer Bug Discovered in Harvard Mark II
A moth caused a malfunction in Harvard Mark II's relay, marking the first documented case of a computer bug. The team at Harvard University, led by Grace Hopper, discovered the insect during routine maintenance. This incident highlighted the complexities of early computing technology and the inevitability of faults and errors in machinery.
Moth found in Harvard Mark II's relay system.
Recorded by Grace Hopper and her team.
First documented computer bug in history.
Highlights early computing challenges.
What Happened?
In a striking moment that would become legendary in computing lore, a moth was found lodged in a relay of the Harvard Mark II computer. The Harvard Mark II, also known as the IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator, was an early electromechanical computer developed to assist in complex calculations. Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist and U.S. Navy rear admiral, was a part of the team working with this machine. During routine checks, her colleagues encountered an operational issue, which they traced back to the presence of the moth. The discovery was meticulously noted in the logbook by Hopper's team, marking it as the first known instance of a computer bug, a term that would become widely used in the field of computer science.This incident not only provided a lighthearted anecdote but also foreshadowed the complexities and challenges that would come with the evolution of computer technology. As computers became more integral to various fields, the importance of debugging processes became clearer. The note featuring the moth was preserved and remains a lasting testament to the early days of computing.
Why Does it Matter?
The incident underscored the mechanical vulnerabilities of early computers, leading to a greater understanding of the need for maintenance and debugging in computational work. It popularized the term 'bug' within the context of technology, influencing terminology in the programming community and setting a precedent for the evolving relationship between humans and machines.
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