Ada's
Science

Hero of the Ada Lovelace science page

What did she create?

Her innovation

Ada Lovelace created the very first computer program in 1843, designed to be executed on Charles Babbage's analytical engine. Specifically, she wrote an algorithm allowing the machine to compute Bernoulli numbers, thereby laying the foundations of modern programming. In her famous Notes, she also anticipated the potential of machines to process not only numbers but also symbols, music, or images, demonstrating a revolutionary vision of computing.

Image of the analytical engine

How did she do it?

Entrusted with translating an article written by the Italian mathematician Luigi Menabrea, Ada added numerous personal notes, three times longer than the original text. In the last of these notes, called Note G, she designed a detailed algorithm allowing the machine to compute Bernoulli numbers, considered today as the first computer program in history.

Image of Note G

"The more I study, the more I feel insatiable."

Quote from Ada Lovelace

Moreover,

Beyond this program, Ada Lovelace envisioned in a visionary way that the machine could manipulate not only numbers but also symbols, letters, and potentially produce music or images, thus anticipating the modern concept of a versatile computer.

In addition to her work in computing, Ada was also interested in probability theory, using her skills for practical applications such as gambling. She also attempted to financially support the construction of the analytical engine, despite economic difficulties.