
Did a moth really cause a computer crash?
Did a moth really cause a computer crash?
Imagine you're working on a computer, and suddenly it freezes, stopping you in your tracks mid-task.
This happened because a real bug, a moth, got stuck in a computer part, messing up the signals. The technical term for this is a "software bug."
Example
The moth was so small, it went unnoticed but caused a huge problem by disrupting the computer's electrical signals.
Remember this
A tiny moth can lead to a significant software bug, causing unexpected computer behavior.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Grace Hopper invented the first compiler and coined the term 'debugging' after finding an actual moth in a relay
Did Grace Hopper really find a moth causing computer errors?
Timeline of computer viruses and worms
Did someone accidentally create the first computer virus?
Colossus computer
Did you know the first computer was built to crack secret codes?
Enigma machine
Can you keep a secret that changes every time you whisper it?
Ada Lovelace recognized that Babbage's Analytical Engine could manipulate symbols, not just numbers
Did Ada Lovelace invent the first computer program?
Invention of the telephone
Ever wondered when wireless telegraphy first blinked into existence?
Swipe through more Discover concepts
Open Pocket Polymath