Proving Ground: The Untold Story of the Six Women Who Programmed the World's First Modern Computer

During the Cold War, six brilliant mathematicians, including a Quaker, a Jewish bookworm, a Yugoslav genius, a native Gaelic speaker, a sophomore from the Bronx, and a farmers daughter from Missouri, programmed the world's first supercomputer, ENIAC, despite sexist attitudes and technical challenges. Their contribution has been erased but is now being restored to recognize their revolutionary achievements.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 11 August 2022
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

Amidst the backdrop of the Cold War, the United States embarked on a fierce race for technological supremacy, driven by the urgent need to develop advanced computing capabilities. In this pursuit, a group of six remarkable mathematicians emerged as key players, each with their unique talents and backgrounds. These women, known as the ENIAC Programmers, were a diverse group, including a patriotic Quaker, a Jewish bookworm, a Yugoslav genius, a native Gaelic speaker, a sophomore from the Bronx, and a farmers daughter from Missouri. Their mission? To program the world's first and only supercomputer, a daunting task that required the invention of code and programming languages before they even existed.

Despite facing immense sexist attitudes and formidable technical challenges, these pioneers triumphed over adversity. They developed computer programming, a groundbreaking achievement that laid the foundation for modern computing. However, their monumental contribution has remained largely overlooked, overshadowed by the male-dominated narrative of computer science.

Over a decade, journalist Kathy Kleiman embarked on a remarkable journey to meet with four of the original six ENIAC Programmers. Through intimate conversations, Kleiman uncovered the deliberate erasure of their achievements and worked to restore the women to their rightful place as revolutionaries. She vividly portrays their camaraderie, determination, and the rapidly changing world they inhabited.

As the tech industry grapples with gender inequality and the growing movement to recognize women's contributions to history, the time has come to uncover and celebrate the story of the ENIAC Programmers. Their pioneering work paved the way for countless advancements in technology and inspired generations of women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

In conclusion, the forgotten story of the ENIAC Programmers is a testament to the power of women and their unwavering determination to push boundaries and achieve greatness. Their pioneering efforts in computer programming have left an indelible mark on the world, and it is high time that their contributions are recognized and celebrated. By uncovering their stories, we can inspire future generations to break down barriers and pursue their dreams, regardless of their gender or background.

Weight: 602g
Dimension: 166 x 241 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787388628