At 3:45 p.m., Grace Murray Hopper records ‘the first computer bug’ in the Harvard Mark II computer’s log book. The problem was traced to a moth stuck between relay contacts in the computer, which Hopper duly taped into the Mark II’s log book with the explanation: “First actual case of bug being found.” The bug was actually found by others but Hopper made the logbook entry.
I’ve always found it odd how repeated this story is. It’s obviously just the earliest recorded instance of this joke. Like the term was common and actual bugs causing problems were common. a vacuum tube is basically a lightbulb, bugs are attracted.
What’s also odd is grace has other impressive accomplishments that are almost never mentioned.