The First Programmers Were Women — Then History Erased Them

A challenging look at the historical marginalization and erasure of women's foundational contributions to computing.

The Dawn of Computing: A Woman's Domain

The common perception of technological innovation focuses on solitary male figures, often overlooking the foundational work. However, the historical truth reveals that the early stages of programming were predominantly pioneered by women. In its infancy, programming was often viewed as clerical, meticulous work, a domain frequently assigned to women due to perceived aptitudes.

Consider Ada Lovelace, widely regarded as the first programmer. Collaborating with Charles Babbage on his Analytical Engine in the 19th century, her profound notes included an algorithm to calculate Bernoulli numbers, a feat recognized as the world's first computer program. Long before electronic computers, the term "computer" itself referred to humans—largely women—who performed complex calculations. These skilled mathematicians and logicians were indispensable for early scientific and military endeavors, laying groundwork often forgotten.

World War II and the ENIAC Programmers: Unsung Heroes

The exigencies of World War II dramatically accelerated computing needs, especially for calculating complex firing trajectories. This critical demand led to the development of the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), the world's first general-purpose electronic digital computer.

Behind this revolutionary machine were six brilliant women responsible for its programming: Kay McNulty, Betty Jennings, Betty Snyder, Marlyn Wescoff, Fran Bilas, and Ruth Lichterman. In an era devoid of modern programming languages, compilers, or operating systems, these pioneers physically wired and re-wired the ENIAC's thousands of circuits, switches, and cables to debug and solve complex mathematical problems.

Despite their indispensable contributions, their work was largely overlooked. At the ENIAC's highly publicized 1946 unveiling, these women were relegated to background roles, presented merely as models or technicians, while male engineers garnered all the spotlight. Their sophisticated programming efforts were dismissively categorized as "clerical work."

The Shifting Tides: From "Clerical" to "Prestigious"

The post-war era brought a dramatic transformation. As computers transitioned from niche military applications to widespread commercial potential, their perceived value soared. Concurrently, the nature of programming evolved from a tedious, detail-oriented task into a complex, intellectual pursuit.

This elevation in status triggered a significant gender demographic shift. The field began to actively attract more men. Companies initiated recruitment drives specifically targeting men, developing psychology profiles and aptitude tests that often implicitly favored male traits. Marketing campaigns further reinforced this, portraying programmers as eccentric, brilliant men.

Consequently, women, who had been integral to the field's genesis, were gradually pushed out. Their groundbreaking contributions were minimized or entirely forgotten in favor of a male-dominated narrative. While figures like Grace Hopper emerged as significant exceptions, they were increasingly rare in a field rapidly redefining itself.

The Erasure: How History Was Rewritten

The narrative shift was largely fueled by deep-seated gender bias. As programming ascended in prestige and lucrative potential, the societal perception of who *should* be a programmer fundamentally changed.

Historical accounts in textbooks, documentaries, and museum exhibits began to focus almost exclusively on male pioneers, systematically omitting or downplaying the crucial work of women like the ENIAC programmers, Ada Lovelace, and the "human computers." This deliberate reshaping of the field's identity, framing programming as an inherently male domain, created a self-fulfilling prophecy, severely hindering women's entry and recognition in subsequent generations.

Early female programmers, often referred to as "computers," working diligently on complex calculations, their vital role in shaping the digital world often overlooked by history.

The Cost of Exclusion: Lost Innovations and Diversity

Beyond the profound historical injustice, the exclusion of women led to potentially lost innovations and a significant limitation of perspectives. Homogenous environments, by their very nature, limit the breadth of problem-solving approaches and creative solutions.

When an entire gender, with its diverse experiences and unique problem-solving insights, is marginalized, the entire field undeniably suffers. The article poignantly raises questions about how software design, user needs anticipation, and ethical considerations might have evolved differently with a balanced male-female perspective from the very outset. The tech industry's current struggles with diversity and inclusion are, in many ways, a lingering echo of this foundational historical bias.

Reclaiming the Narrative and Looking Forward

Today, researchers, historians, and advocates are actively working to unearth and celebrate the stories of these forgotten female pioneers. Acknowledging figures like Ada Lovelace, the ENIAC Six, Grace Hopper, and Katherine Johnson is not just about correcting the historical record; it is crucial for inspiring future generations of innovators, regardless of gender.

Recognizing women as the first programmers fundamentally challenges the entrenched idea of tech as an inherently male field. Embracing a richer, more accurate history can foster a truly inclusive tech industry—one that recognizes talent irrespective of gender and actively works to prevent future contributions from being erased. The digital world we inhabit stands firmly on the contributions of countless women, whose stories deserve to be told and celebrated as an integral, vibrant part of computing history.