Who Was the First Computer Programmer?

Did you use a computer today? For most individuals, the response is a resounding, “Yes!” From smartphones to tablets, laptops, and desktop computers, we reside in a technological world. If you use a computer every day, you have someone special to express gratitude to—Ada Lovelace.

Who was Ada Lovelace? Only the very first computer programmer in the world! However, she existed over 100 years before computers became prevalent. Lovelace was born on December 10, 1815. Her given name was Ada Byron. Her father was the renowned poet Lord Byron, and her mother was his first wife, Annabella Milbanke.

Lovelace’s parents separated shortly after her birth. In fact, Ada never met her father, who passed away when she was only eight. She grew up in London, England. Her mother did not want young Ada to pursue a career as a poet like her father. She wanted her to study music, French, and mathematics.

During her childhood, Lovelace frequently fell ill. In fact, she spent years confined to her home. This allowed her a significant amount of time to study with her tutors. From a young age, she developed an interest in mathematics. Lovelace continued her studies throughout her life and became one of the most brilliant mathematicians of her time.

As a teenager, Lovelace met a mathematician named Charles Babbage. He was impressed by the young woman’s mathematical abilities. Babbage had plans to build an early calculator, which he called the Difference Engine. He shared his plans with Lovelace, who became deeply fascinated by the concept.

Babbage also showed Lovelace his plans for an Analytical Engine. His idea for this machine was highly advanced for its time. It would have the capability to perform mathematical operations at a rapid pace. The Analytical Engine was not constructed during their lifetimes. Nevertheless, Babbage and Lovelace dedicated much of their lives to its design.

Lovelace was eager to assist Babbage with his designs. In 1843, she translated a paper about the engine written in French by Italian mathematician Luigi Menabrea. Lovelace rewrote the paper in English.

However, she accomplished much more than merely translating the paper. Lovelace added her own annotations on the Analytical Engine and its potential. Overall, her notes were three times longer than the original paper. She displayed an understanding of the engine that surpassed even Babbage’s.

In her annotations, Lovelace described how the Analytical Engine would execute algorithms. She even provided an example—a series of commands that would instruct the machine to calculate Bernoulli numbers. Today, this is recognized as the first-ever computer program. This establishes Ada Lovelace as the world’s first computer programmer.

In 1852, Ada Lovelace passed away from cancer at the age of 36. In 1838, she had become the Countess of Lovelace when her husband, William King, became the first Earl of Lovelace. When Ada died, she left behind her husband, three children, and a lasting legacy. Today, computer programming is one of the fastest-growing career fields.

However, computer programming did not become a profession until nearly a century after Ada Lovelace’s death. In the late 1940s, six women became the first professional computer programmers. Their names were Jean Jennings Bartik, Frances Elizabeth Holberton, France Bilas Spence, Marlyn Wescoff Meltzer, Kathleen McNulty Mauchly Antonelli, and Ruth Lichterman Teitelbaum. They worked for the U.S. Army and programmed a computer called the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC).

Are you aspiring to become a computer programmer? If so, you can start your learning journey today! There are numerous online resources available to help you grasp the fundamentals of computer programming. Who knows? Perhaps one day you’ll be just as famous as Ada Lovelace!

Give It a Try

Are you ready to delve deeper into the world of computer programming and learn more about Ada Lovelace? Enlist the help of a friend or family member and engage in the following activities:

• Ada Lovelace was truly ahead of her time, even by a hundred years! Read this article to explore her life and achievements further. What aspect of her life do you find most intriguing? Can you imagine if she could have foreseen the technological advancements we have today? Discuss her life and accomplishments with a friend or family member.
• Contemplate all the ways in which you utilize computers in your daily life. They are everywhere! Now, let’s imagine that you can send a message back in time. Write a letter to Ada Lovelace, describing how you utilize computers. Discuss your smartphone, tablet, and/or laptop. Share your letter with a friend or family member.
• Did you know that you can explore computer coding without an actual computer? Seek the assistance of a friend or family member and choose one of these activities from kodable. You can code together, engage in origami, or even create a treasure obstacle course.

Additional Sources

• https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/in-celebration-of-ada-lovelace-the-first-computer-programmer/ (accessed 18 Feb. 2022)
• https://www.britannica.com/story/ada-lovelace-the-first-computer-programmer (accessed 18 Feb. 2022)
• https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/53131/ada-lovelace-first-computer-programmer (accessed 18 Feb. 2022)
• https://www.codecademy.com/resources/blog/the-first-computer-programmer/ (accessed 18 Feb. 2022)
• https://www.history.com/news/coding-used-to-be-a-womans-job-so-it-was-paid-less-and-undervalued (accessed 18 Feb. 2022)
• https://learnersdictionary.com/ (accessed 18 Feb. 2022)

FAQ

1. Who was the first computer programmer?

The first computer programmer was Ada Lovelace. She was an English mathematician and writer who is best known for her work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, a mechanical general-purpose computer. Lovelace is often referred to as the world’s first computer programmer because she wrote the first algorithm intended to be processed by a machine. Her notes on Babbage’s machine included an algorithm for calculating Bernoulli numbers, which is considered the first published algorithm for a computer.

2. What contributions did Ada Lovelace make to computer programming?

Ada Lovelace made significant contributions to computer programming. She wrote the first algorithm intended to be processed by a machine, which is why she is often referred to as the world’s first computer programmer. Lovelace’s notes on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine included a method for calculating Bernoulli numbers, and she also speculated about the potential of computers to create music and art. Her work laid the foundation for modern computer programming and she is recognized as a pioneer in the field.

3. When did Ada Lovelace live?

Ada Lovelace lived from December 10, 1815, to November 27, 1852. She was born in London, England, and was the daughter of the poet Lord Byron. Despite passing away at a young age of 36, Lovelace left a lasting impact on the field of computer programming with her groundbreaking work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine.

4. What was the Analytical Engine?

The Analytical Engine was a mechanical general-purpose computer designed by Charles Babbage in the 19th century. It was never fully built, but its design and concepts laid the foundation for modern computers. The Analytical Engine was intended to perform various calculations and had the ability to store data and execute instructions. Ada Lovelace’s work on this machine, including her algorithm for calculating Bernoulli numbers, showcased the potential of computers as more than just number-crunching machines, influencing the future development of computer programming.

5. Why is Ada Lovelace considered a pioneer in computer programming?

Ada Lovelace is considered a pioneer in computer programming because of her groundbreaking work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine. She wrote the first algorithm intended to be processed by a machine, demonstrating the concept of programming. Lovelace also speculated about the potential of computers beyond numerical calculations, envisioning their ability to create music and art. Her work laid the foundation for modern computer programming and she is recognized as a visionary who saw the potential of computers long before they became a reality.

6. How did Ada Lovelace’s work influence modern computer programming?

Ada Lovelace’s work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine influenced modern computer programming in several ways. Her notes included the first algorithm intended to be processed by a machine, which showcased the concept of programming. She also speculated about the potential of computers to create music and art, which foreshadowed the development of multimedia applications. Lovelace’s ideas and concepts laid the foundation for modern computer programming and her work continues to inspire and inform the field to this day.