Ada Lovelace (Image: Public Domain from Wikipedia)
Today is Ada Lovelace Day, a day to celebrate women and girls in technology. It is in honor of Ada Lovelace, obviously, who is often credited with writing the first computer program.
Ada Lovelace was often ill as a child, but she kept up her education during her illnesses. She learned mathematics and science from private tutors. She then went on to work and correspond with Charles Babbage, leading to the important work of hers that we know today. She worked with him in relation to his mechanical analytical engine. This engine was inspired by Babbage’s difference engine, a version of which is on display at Mountain View, California’s Computer History Museum. It is quite an impressive sight to see it in action!
After reading more about her life and her work, I still feel it is best summarized by BrainPOP‘s Ada Lovelace video, which is designed for kids.
As in the past couple of years, AdaFruit Industries appears to be having a sale on their products today.
Ada’s short life was fascinating, and definitely inspiring to women and girls in science and technology. She has even inspired someone to create a LEGO minifig in her honor. Perhaps one day her story will be more widely known. In the meantime, we can do our part by enjoying some books that allow for a deeper reading into her life, or visiting other sites that are blogging about her today.
A version of this article was published on GeekDad on Ada Lovelace Day 2010 (which was then on March 24).
