The ENIAC Programmers © Jayne Gaskins

The ENIAC Programmers

Jayne Bentley Gaskins

Reston, Virginia, USA

Artist Statement

In 1946 the US military proudly presented Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), the world’s first electronic computer. These six colored sheets of binary code honor each of the brilliant female mathematicians who developed the programming language and operating system that made it work. No other writing is used because, until the mid-80s, they, like their work, remained unknown and unrecognized. They are: Francis “Betty” Snyder Holberton, Betty “Jean” Jennings Bartik, Kathleen McNulty Mauchly Antonelli, Marlyn Wescoff Meltzer, Ruth Lichterman Teitelbaum, and Frances Bilas Spence.

Woman’s Groundbreaking Accomplishment

Six brilliant women programmed ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), the world’s first electronic computer.

Techniques

Digital art, appliqué, inkjet printing, machine quilting

Materials

Silk fabric, polyester fabric, batting, inkjet inks, thread

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