08/03/2026
In 1946, the first electronic computer changed the course of technology.
Six women—Kathleen McNulty, Jean Jennings Bartik, Betty Snyder, Marlyn Wescoff, Frances Bilas, and Ruth Lichterman—designed the programming methods that allowed ENIAC to execute complex calculations. At the time, there were no programming languages, no compilers, and no established field of software engineering.
They worked directly with the machine’s architecture: configuring switches, cables, and logic flows to translate mathematical problems into operational instructions.
Many of the concepts they developed, structured problem decomposition, ex*****on sequencing, and logical debugging, became foundational practices in modern software development.
International Women’s Day is a moment to acknowledge that legacy, and to keep building technology with the same curiosity and determination that started it all!