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

This book tells the story behind the six women who programmed the ENIAC, the first programmable electronic general-purpose computer, around 1945. There are many similarities between these women and the women portrayed in the book and movie, “Hidden Figures.”The ENIAC computer was used to calculate the trajectory of artillery shells. The ENIAC programmers were able to program this machine to perform these calculations in minutes, instead of the days required by manual calculator methods.Although the work done by these women was extremely important, they were treated by many people at the time as no more than glorified clerks, not deserving of any special recognition. At ENIAC’s first public demonstration event, they served as hostesses, serving refreshments to the attendees.This was an important chapter in the history of computers and computer programming. While Lady Ada Lovelace is often referred to as the “first programmer,” these ladies had an actual computer to program. It could be argued that the people–men and women–who wired the plugboards for IBM unit record machines beginning in the 1930’s, might be considered the first programmers.These ladies did exceptional work, and it is good that Ms. Kleiman has documented their story.

I really enjoyed learning so much about Eniac and these women and those times.

To the author (Kathy K.): Thanks for writing this book. You did a nice job, which of course I expected.To potential readers: This book is engaging, explores important history, and explains how WWII and culture of that era played a role. The author does a nice job addressing the questions, “Who were these women and how did they contribute?” The storytelling provides good descriptions of both parts (the women and the work they did). I liked the moderate depth. Specifically, the narrative provides good basic backgrounds of the women, and provides good snapshots of the work they did, without attempting to provide full biographies or full technical details. The result is a worthwhile, easy, and upbeat read.Admission of bias: The author went to high school with me, and I admit I’m biased. Kathy’s always been a good/sharp person and I thought, “Ok, if Kathy wrote this, then it’s bound to be worth reading.” In spite of my positive bias, I believe my potential-reader comments above are valid.

But we comp sci students of the 70s knew this already.

Kathy Kleiman had dug out the incredible stories about the people--in this case, mainly women--who made electronic computers a reality. Through their hands-on, mostly self-taught programming work, they figured out how to create sequences of instructions that processed complicated math equations. During their work they created the first software loop, the if-type program decisions, and the debugging breakpoint. In the mid 1940's they had no compiler, no language, just the 0's and 1's needed to indicate what operation got done and where the results went next. And they succeeded. Sadly they did not get the contemporary recognition and awards they deserved. Theirs are absolutely fantastic stories.

This book will appeal to several classes readers of readers. First, as a compelling story of six outstanding women, it’s very similar to the book/movie about the unheralded contributions of women at Nasa (Hidden Figures). Second, it’s a technically accurate (but accessible) account of what programming was like on the ENIAC. The focus is on the women, but John Mauchly is also highlighted, as are several other men who we already know about.

Having worked in the software industry since the early 70s I am ashamed to say that I have really never considered the beginnings of computer programming (Ada Lovelace aside). This book opened my eyes to the real story of the beginnings of the craft of software development and the way in which these amazing women were sidelined by the male dominated culture of the day. One would hope that this book becomes standard reading for anyone really interested in the history of computer development.

When I was a child, a TV program used a Univac computer as a prop for the entertainment. WOW, for the next 20 years, I wanted a computer on my desk. Reading about the people who were behind this, was informative.

This is a fascinating book. It tells two intertwined stories. The first is the shameful way in which the contribution of women to the development of the first computer has, until now, been airbrushed from history. The second explains how the first computer – relying on unreliable vacuum valves – was constructed in the USA in the early 1940s in response to wartime demands. ENIAC was the first programmable computer. Colossus, the British equivalent, which was operating before ENIAC, could not be programmed. And the first programmers of ENIAC were a group of mathematically-gifted young women, recruited to aid the war effort. The programming they did was far removed from the coding of today but it was truly ground-breaking.Relying on a huge amount of detailed research, the author weaves a technological tale through the eyes of six of these young women, all from very different backgrounds. We learn about what they achieved as we learn about their lives. The text captures the atmosphere of the time, focusing on society’s attitude to women working outside the home, let alone work of a professional nature. It is highly readable. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the origin of the piece of equipment on which our modern world rests, especially girls wanting to make a career in computing. It is important that they know how things were in the male-dominated world of the 1940s. This book shines a light on a group of women who were determined to make their mark and did so.