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To: ak267

Wasn’t she responsible for coining the term “computer bug”?


11 posted on 09/24/2016 6:26:31 PM PDT by Excellence (Marine mom since April 11, 2014)
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To: Excellence

not directly, though her logbooks documented a moth in the UNIVAC wiring


12 posted on 09/24/2016 6:31:58 PM PDT by ak267
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To: Excellence

Yes, Admiral Grace did indeed coin the term “bug” for a computer problem.

While working on one of the early computers, a problem arose. Her crew couldn’t find the source of the problem, so the entire system was taken apart. At last they found a moth shorting out the contacts on a connector. The moth was taped into the log book with the note that the “bug” had been found. Computer problems are called “bugs” to this day.

Admiral Grace is also the source of the great quotation, “Ships are safe in harbor but that’s not what ships are built for.”

And another, “If you think you’re right, go ahead. It’s easier to apologize than it is to get permission.”

(Apologies if I paraphrased anything here.)


15 posted on 09/24/2016 8:00:02 PM PDT by DNME (The only solution to a BAD GUY with a gun is a GOOD GUY with a gun.)
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To: Excellence
..not a coined term.

ENIAC at U of P was driven by vacuum tubes. One day it had a problem which was caused by a vacuum tube with an actual bug inside of it...term eventually became commonly used when software didn't always behave...Hopper wasn't involved.

21 posted on 09/24/2016 10:57:09 PM PDT by Banjoguy
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