An Annoying Anniversary
Posted by Eric Esses on Sep 9th 2020
Computer bugs are really annoying!
When one of my devices experiences a glitch, I can quickly become agitated. Forgetting about the innumerable ways that computers and phones have eased our lives, I start reminiscing about "the good old days" when no bugs existed.
I have just learned, however, that even in the low tech world of yesteryear bugs existed! In fact, 73 years ago on September 9, 1947, the first ever computer bug was identified by researchers at Harvard who were trying to figure out why their computer, the Mark II, was not operating correctly. When they began looking at the computer's innards, they found a BUG -- literally! A moth, attracted by light or future infamy, had parked himself amid the electronics, disrupting the currents. With that, this little lepidopteran became the “first actual case of bug being found,” as a team member wrote in their notes.
The moral of the story?
Bugs exist in our imperfect world. Our job is to try to de-bug life as much as possible, moving towards (an unattainable) perfection. Get $10 off all National Geographic 1000 Piece Puzzles, including the "100 species of butterflies" puzzle that celebrates all lepidoptera. Use coupon code: BUG20 through September 2020.