Born: February 1, 1924 (The Bronx, New York)
Died: August 9, 1986
Biography:
Ruth Teitelbaum (née Lichterman; February 1, 1924 – August 9, 1986) was one of the first computer programmers in the world. She made significant contributions to the field of computing during a time when programming was a predominantly male-dominated profession. As one of the original programmers for the ENIAC computer, Teitelbaum played a vital role in shaping the early days of computing.
Born on February 1, 1924, in The Bronx, New York, Ruth Lichterman was the daughter of Sarah and Simon Lichterman, Jewish immigrants from Russia. She grew up in a family that valued education, and her parents instilled in her a passion for learning. Teitelbaum excelled in her studies and went on to graduate from Hunter College with a B.Sc. in Mathematics.
Teitelbaum’s career in computing began in the midst of World War II when she was hired by the Moore School of Electrical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. The Moore School received funding from the US Army to compute ballistics trajectories, which required complex differential calculations. Teitelbaum, along with a group of approximately 80 women, manually performed these calculations.
In June 1943, the US Army decided to fund an experimental project known as the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC). Teitelbaum and the other women at the Moore School transitioned from manual calculations to programming the ENIAC computer. This marked a groundbreaking development in the history of computing, as the ENIAC was the first all-electronic digital computer.
Programming the ENIAC was an arduous task that involved physically configuring the machine using thousands of switches and telephone switching cords. Teitelbaum and her colleagues taught themselves and others the functions of the ENIAC and helped develop the ballistics software necessary for their calculations. They were referred to as computers because they operated the machine.
After the war, Teitelbaum continued her work with the ENIAC, accompanying it to the Ballistics Research Laboratory at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. There, she spent two more years training the next group of ENIAC programmers, ensuring the continuity of their important work.
Ruth Teitelbaum’s contributions to the field of computing were largely unrecognized for many years. However, in recent decades, her legacy and the accomplishments of the ENIAC team have gained recognition. In 2010, the documentary Top Secret Rosies: The Female ‘Computers’ of WWII highlighted the pivotal role played by Teitelbaum and her colleagues during World War II. Their commendable patriotic contributions were finally given the recognition they deserved.
Teitelbaum’s work as one of the original computer programmers has had a lasting impact on the field of computing. Her role in the development of the ENIAC paved the way for future generations of programmers, both male and female, and helped shape the field as we know it today.