Chris TrottierNov 25, 2022

The first computer bug was a literal bug.

To be exact, a moth.

On Sept 9, 1947, a moth got trapped in Harvard University's Mark II computer -- causing multiple errors.

This bug disrupted the electronics inside the Mark II.

Here's a photo of that first computer bug.

Show threadNigel Jay Cooper
@atomicpoet no idea if this is real or fake but I love it so much!
Nov 25, 2022 at 8:00amWeb
Show threadChris TrottierNov 25, 2022
@Nijay Real. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/grace-hoppers-bug
Grace Hopper's Bug

A computer bug so primitive it was an actual insect.

Atlas Obscura
Show threadDuncan BateyNov 25, 2022
@atomicpoet @Nijay "Though the moth anecdote is often falsely credited with the creation of the computing terms “bug” and “debug” (these were actually used as early as Edison), it accurately provides a glimpse of the wit and cleverness of Admiral Grace Hopper."
Show threadRafoe (רפוא) RademakerNov 25, 2022
@Nijay @atomicpoet It is real. It became trapped in a (mechanical) relay.