Ada Love-Bale

Ada Lovelace (December 10, 1815 – November 27, 1852) was the only child of the poet Lord Byron, and considered to be the first “computer programmer.” She’s best known for having written a description of Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, an early form of computer, and writing “programs” for Babbage’s Difference Engine, a machine that Babbage had yet to build, and she is also considered to be the first person (at least on record) to foresee the capabilities of computers. She collaborated extensively with Babbage, and while she was obviously a major 19th century babe, it was Lovelace’s intellect that impressed Babbage most, and caused him to dub her “The Enchantress of Numbers.”

Unfortunately, Lovelace died quite young from uterine cancer (or the treatment of it), but she left a lasting legacy and paved the way for women in science and computing…and computer science.  As a tribute to her and all the pioneering women who came after, she is today’s Bale.

Thanks to Wikipedia for making this post easier!