As an agency we feel an affinity with Ada Lovelace and the work that she completed throughout her lifetime. Two of our four core values, progressive & bold, speak directly to Lovelace and the efforts that continue in her name through Ada Lovelace Day. We work internally, as well as with our clients, to ensure that we are always doing the best work we can – and that means being inventive, inclusive and always learning.
Who was Ada Lovelace?
Augusta Ada King (nee Byron), Countess of Lovelace, was an English mathematician, writer and crucial part of the founding of Charles Babbage’s “Difference Engine”, regarded as one of the first examples of computing. The first (and only) legitimate child of Lord Byron & mathematician Lady Byron, Ada’s mathematical abilities were undoubtedly nurtured and actively encouraged throughout her upbringing and into womanhood.
What is Ada Lovelace Day?
Aiming to “increase the profile of women in STEM and, in doing so, create new role models who will encourage more girls into STEM careers”, Ada Lovelace Day presented itself to be the perfect opportunity for us to announce our brand new name, Difference Engine.
Ada Lovelace Day, celebrated on the 12th October 2021, is a chance to not only celebrate the life & achievements of an incredible woman, but also to celebrate the achievements of all of the women in science, technology, engineering & maths (STEM) since Ada. The Day also gives an opportunity to shed light on the progress that is still to be made to encourage female space within the STEM industries.
Why this means so much to us
One of the key factors hindering this progression is gender misconceptions & stereotypes; a fact that rang all too true in the early life of one of Difference Engine’s founding directors, Jane Franklin. In a recent LinkedIn post, Jane outlined her experience of attending an airshow as a young girl and being told she couldn’t become a pilot (a childhood dream of hers) because ‘we don’t let girls fly planes’. Jane later goes on to reflect on how this could have changed the trajectory of her career had she had the encouragement to go after it. This is just a drop in the ocean of stories that have surfaced through the #thislittlegirlisme trend.
Not only did Lovelace significantly contribute to the Difference Engine project through her detailed software notes & mathematical insight, she spent her 36 years constantly asking questions and fostering strong relationships with other experts in their fields: a sentiment we very much intend to continue through our work at Difference Engine.
