Okay, so it's not really up anymore, because of time zones or something...and it is pretty late in the day...but don't get mad at me, because I've done several hours of physics today in preparation for finals.
Anyway.
It's a tribute to Ada Lovelace, who was the first person (get that, PERSON. Not "woman". PERSON!) to envision a computing machine that was much more complex than just a simple calculator. If you know much about computer history, you'll recognize the name "Charles Babbage", who is the inventor of the first mechanical computer. Well, our girl Ada worked alongside Mr. Babbage and developed the first algorithm to be interpreted by a computing machine...making her the first computer programmer.
SHE'S A WOMAN AND A SCIENTIST AND A MATHEMATICIAN AND AN INVENTOR AND SHE WAS THE FIRST.
In case you can't tell, I am a little bit excited to learn that this is one of those rare instances in history where women were the ones breaking boundaries. None of this "the first man in space, then the first woman in space" or "first president, first female president" or "first comment on a youtube video, and then twelve comments later, a comment saying 'FIRST!'" crap.
FIRST. PERSON.
FIRST. PERSON.
I am elated.
Also, something noteworthy, Miss Lovelace was born "The Honorable Augusta Ada Byron of Lovelace"...also known as Lord Byron's daughter.
This girl has got EVERYTHING going for her.
Though her mother did remove her from her father's influence when Miss Ada was but one month old. Her mother apparently wanted to avoid her father's influence of more "eccentric" careers like poetry and naming bridges and guide young Ada down a more practical path, namely maths and science. (Way to go, Mom!)
Miss Lovelace took such a big role in technology that was not the norm back in 1833 that she now has a holiday, aptly named "Ada Lovelace Day". (perhaps her father could give that a more imaginable name sometime when he's not busy...) It is celebrated by people writing about women in science and technology whom they admire. And apparently the date is variable (perfect for a mathematician, no?) because it was last celebrated on March 24th, but the next Ada Day will be October 15th, 2013. PUT IT ON YOUR CALENDARS NOW.
My only question is why we don't do this every day? Or even just write about PEOPLE we admire?
(And if you need help admiring someone, just spend some time on wikipedia learning about influential people in whatever interests you. Like soccer, math, or bacon. You will find lots of noteworthy people.)
And so...get ready for some posts in the near future about admirable people :)
And in the meantime...POWER TO THE PEOPLE, when we can lead and be led by men and women alike, and nobody has to wait for the Same Old White Guys to be first at everything.
(And if you need help admiring someone, just spend some time on wikipedia learning about influential people in whatever interests you. Like soccer, math, or bacon. You will find lots of noteworthy people.)
And so...get ready for some posts in the near future about admirable people :)
And in the meantime...POWER TO THE PEOPLE, when we can lead and be led by men and women alike, and nobody has to wait for the Same Old White Guys to be first at everything.
PS: Her life is really fascinating. Go read things about it! Wikipedia is actually a great place to start, despite what your middle school teachers said about it.
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