Over a decade ago, I had a male colleague who reduced Lovelace's contributions to computing as "oh she just translated stuff."
the-good-times.org/people-2/ad…
Given the respect Babbage had for Lovelace she did more than that.
Ada Lovelace: Weaving Algebraic Patterns Like Looms Weave Flowers and Leaves - The Good Times
Ada Lovelace, a pioneer of modern computer science, was the first to understand how a mechanical calculator could be used for computing.dcarsprungli (The Good Times)
Esther Payne
in reply to Esther Payne • • •From the article.
“The notes of the Countess of Lovelace extend to about three times the length of the original memoir,” Babbage wrote later. “Their author has entered fully into almost all the very difficult and abstract questions connected with the subject.” Her comments highlight the link she found between the machine and the Jacquard loom. This loom used punched cards to automatically create images and Babbage’s Analytical Engine would do the same with numbers."
Esther Payne
in reply to Esther Payne • • •Ada brought context and support to Babbage.
She could see what it could be useful for.
She had the mathematical background to understand what Babbage was trying to do.
Centuries later you still get folks trying to minimise her contributions.
🤷♀️
Esther Payne
in reply to Esther Payne • • •The thrilling adventures of Lovelace and Babbage by Sydney Padua is an awesome comic book, with a plethora of real life information about Lovelace and Babbage and their time in the footnotes.
It's one of my favourite books for the Steampunk alternate universe fun and the real life facts.