Feb 16, 2026 Elena Lazaridou

The science behind the art: How the foundations of the digital world were created by a woman

The unexpected historical connection between the traditional art of weaving and modern computer science. How a woman’s algorithm laid the foundations for computer programming.

Male scientists often represent the history of computer engineering, such as Alan Turing and Steve Jobs. However, the evolution of this science has its roots in the algorithmic thinking of weaving, an art historically associated with women. From the pioneering data storage through weaving in binary patterns to the remarkable contribution to Apollo missions that sent humans to the Moon, women’s involvement has been crucial, though often overlooked. Their stories remain largely untold—stories worthy of recognition and celebration.

The foundations of today’s digital world were built on weaving

Weaving and programming are two sides of the same coin. Binary code, the building blocks of modern computing, is based on two symbols: 0 and 1. Similarly, in weaving, the position of the thread (above or below the warp) can be seen as a binary choice. Their combination can create patterns, just as 0s and 1s can create software.

Proceeding to the weaving domain, these two symbols correspond to the two essential cases. The "on" thread is 1, and the "off" is 0. Their combination creates designs just as the 0 and 1 combination creates software. This programming logic forms the basis of the computational systems we use today.

How is an algorithm woven?

To weave a pattern, a precise sequence of instructions is followed. Every thread can be considered activated (1) or deactivated (0) depending on its position in the pattern. In simple weaving, alternating threads produce repeating patterns of 0 and 1. This can be extended to more complex textures, in which distinct combinations of above and below - or 0 and 1 – create more intricate designs.

This relationship is not just a nice metaphor; it has deep historical roots. The most characteristic example is Ada Lovelace. [1]

Ada Lovelace’s Contribution

Ada Lovelace, known as the first programmer in history, managed to intuit the mathematics of a computer a whole century before its invention. She was a pioneer in informatics and the daughter of the poet, Lord Byron. To avoid following her father’s path, her mother encouraged her towards mathematics. This unique combination of artistic heritage and scientific precision gave her a distinctive way of thinking.

In her notes on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, Ada Lovelace did not limit herself to describing its operation. She foresaw the machine’s ability to create music and art, recognising its potential to process symbols beyond numbers. Ada emphasized the value of breaking down a complex problem into smaller, simpler ones. Her approach was based on Boolean Algebra, where the values 0 and 1 represent states of truth and falsehood or activation and deactivation. This fundamental idea remains central to modern computer science.

Her work on the Analytical Engine was mainly inspired by the Jacquard loom, which used punched cards to automate patterns on fabric. Each card corresponds to a line of code, and their sequence forms the program. Ada realised that the machine could be programmed using a similar method. This idea led her to envision the Analytical Engine weaving algebraic patterns.

Thus, she understood that the machine could process symbols, whereas scientists believed it was limited only to numbers. Her idea introduced the concept of a program. Ada Lovelace went down in history as the first programmer, inspired by the art of weaving.

From weaving to Space

The connection does not stop in the 19th century. The small step for man and giant leap for mankind remains one of the most courageous and widely discussed scientific events. Women familiar with traditional Navajo weaving techniques were employed during the Apollo missions to contribute to the construction of the intricate embedded circuits of the flight control computers used in the rockets. Their experience and skill proved critical for implementing the complex wiring.

It is also worth noting that the code that ensured the success of the Moon landing was handwritten by a woman, Margaret Hamilton [2].

Why it matters today

Today, this legacy is more important than ever. It reminds us that technological innovation is not confined to laboratories but can begin with a woman’s hand weaving. It is a matter of algorithmic thinking.

Next time you see a piece of fabric, think: could this be the first algorithm?

Sources:

[1] Essinger, J. (2014). Ada's Algorithm: How Lord Byron's Daughter Ada Lovelace Launched the Digital Age. Melville House.
[2] Hamilton, M. (1996). Development of the Software for the Apollo Guidance Computer. NASA History Series.

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