Here are two more gifts for you from the incredible women.
The first documented case of a literal computer bug was discovered by Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist and U.S. Navy rear admiral, in 1947. The "bug" in question was an actual moth that got stuck in Relay #70 of Panel F of the Harvard Mark II computer.
The moth prevented the relay from properly closing, causing the system to malfunction. The operators removed the moth, taped it into their logbook, and humorously noted it as the "first actual case of a bug being found."
While the term "bug" had already been used in engineering for mechanical malfunctions (even Thomas Edison used it in the 1800s), Hopper's incident popularized the association of "debugging" with fixing computer errors.
Wouldn’t it be great if all modern software bugs were as easy to find as that moth?
The quote—"When in doubt, go ahead. It's easier to apologize than to get permission."—is attributed to Rear Admiral Grace Hopper. She was a pioneering computer scientist and U.S. Navy officer, best known for her contributions to programming and software development, including her work on the COBOL programming language.
Hopper's philosophy of "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission" became a guiding principle in both leadership and innovation, particularly in fields where bureaucratic red tape can slow progress. Her bold approach to problem-solving and breaking through barriers made her a legend in the military and tech worlds.
She was full of great wisdom—another famous quote of hers is:
"The most dangerous phrase in the language is, 'We've always done it this way.'"
I have always been an independent learner. If I was interested in a new subject. I would jump in with both feet without asking Mom and Dad. Sometimes, things did not go as planned, so I often had to apologize for the fumbles. Back then, you would go to the library to research a new exploration. I always started with a book that was easy to read and blazed the path. If it turned out to fail me, I would go back to an easier book on the topic and work my way forward again.
My wife realized I worked things out the way Grace M. Hopper had shown as a way forward. So she took the time to Counter Cross Stitched it on a plaque that has always hung in the room where explorations often began. "When in doubt, go ahead. It's easier to apologize than it is to get permission."
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