Despite their critical involvement and undeniable capability, women in technology have often been perceived as less competent than their male counterparts and marginalized in the narratives of technological progress. They have been stereotyped as unsuitable for what has traditionally been labeled as "men’s work," such as engineering or technical roles. This exhibit seeks to dismantle these myths by demonstrating, through historical evidence, that women are equally capable in these fields.

From the very beginning of the technological revolution, women have played pivotal roles, yet their contributions have frequently been overlooked or minimized. This includes their vital work during World War II on systems like ENIAC and their foundational efforts in the development of early computing technology. Moreover, women have consistently been at the forefront of advocating for equal rights and opportunities within the tech industry, significantly shaping the field in ways that are seldom acknowledged.

The names of these women and the technologies they developed might not be familiar yet, but this exhibit aims to change that. Today, we see technology as straightforward and user-friendly, but reaching this point was anything but simple. The first "computers" were massive machines that filled entire rooms, and it was primarily women who managed these colossal technologies. They navigated complex arrays of hundreds of wires, meticulously configuring them for each required task. Despite their critical roles, it is often men who are remembered and celebrated for these technological achievements.

This exhibit aims to focus upon technology's forgotten heroes, highlighting their vital but often neglected contributions to the larger story of technical advancement. Our objective with this investigation is to identify and honour the actual innovators of the profession, ensuring that their stories are not only recognized but also honoured.

Under the overarching theme of "Forgotten Heroes: Exposing Women's Roles in the Computing Revolution," this exhibition takes a deep dive into diverse historical contexts to highlight the profound impact women have had on, and been influenced by, technological advancements. From the eugenics movement in the early 20th century to the postwar era, women encountered systemic biases and often found themselves confined to undervalued and underpaid roles, despite their remarkable skills and innovations. This exploration draws insights from various scholarly works, including Amy Sue Bix's study on ERO field-workers, Jennifer S. Light's research on women's contributions to ENIAC, Cook's analysis of the societal impact of the Gutenberg Printing Press, Marx's examination of the labor dynamics behind logarithm tables, and Joy Rohde's discussion on the human involvement in plugboard computing.

Moving through time, the exhibition highlights key objects that represent women's contributions to technical advancement. From the ‘revolutionary’ Gutenberg Printing Press in the 15th century to the rise of online communities such as GenderNet in the late twentieth century, each item represents women's perseverance, innovation, and long-lasting effect in technology.

In Group 1, artifacts such as De Prony's Pyramid and Morse Code exemplify the multifaceted roles women played in early technological advancements, highlighting their significant, yet often overlooked contributions. Group 2 dives into the mid-20th century, showcasing women's pivotal roles in operating the Colossus Computer during World War II and their integral involvement in early computing systems like ENIAC. Finally, Group 3 explores the late 20th century to the present, featuring artifacts such as documentation of online communities like GenderNet and Joy Buolamwini's powerful spoken word poem "AI, Ain't I a Woman?" Each artifact underscores the ongoing struggle for equality and challenges gender biases in technology.

Welcome to "Forgotten Heroes: Exposing Women's Roles in the Computing Revolution," where the voices of women in technology are finally heard and celebrated. It's important to note that our focus extends beyond just women; we also shine a light on the experiences of women of color, who faced unique challenges in gaining acceptance within technological fields. For many black individuals, especially black women, the advent of computers, and personal computers in particular, represented a significant turning point. As Gibbons (2022) notes, these individuals saw the computer as a pathway to professional recognition, a chance to be valued for their contributions.

It is critical to investigate the larger implications of the accessibility and inclusivity of computer training modules, particularly in light of the rise of personal computers, which provided both new possibilities and problems for marginalized populations.  We must examine the fundamental concepts that guide the creation of these guides, as well as the perspectives from which they are derived. Are these resources intended to meet the different needs and standpoints of individuals, including people of colour and women? Furthermore, do those outside of these oppressed groups actively pursue and appreciate these chances on an equal basis? These are complex concerns that require careful consideration as we work to create a more fair landscape in the technology industry.

By revisiting these often overlooked contributions, our exhibition aims to lay the groundwork for a more equitable future in the field of technology. It's crucial to critically examine who receives recognition for technological advancements and how these narratives are constructed. Our goal extends beyond mere acknowledgment; we strive to uncover the broader societal implications of persistent gender biases throughout history.

We invite visitors to engage in discussions about who deserves credit for technological progress and to confront the profound societal implications of gender bias.

Bibliography:

Abbate, J., & Dick, S. (Eds.). (2022). Abstractions and embodiments: New histories of computing and society. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Bix, A. S. (1997). Experiences and voices of eugenics field-workers: `women’s work’ in biology. Social Studies of Science, 27(4), 625–668. https://doi.org/10.1177/030631297027004003

Cook, S. D. (1996). Technological revolutions and the Gutenberg myth. Internet Dreams: Archetypes, Myths, and Metaphors, 67-82.

Hicks, M. (2017). 1 war machines: Women’s computing work and the underpinnings of the data-driven state, 1930–1946. In Programmed Inequality: How Britain Discarded Women Technologists and Lost Its Edge in Computing (pp. 19–57). MIT Press. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7904124/

Light, J. S. (1999). When computers were women. Technology and Culture, 40(3), 455–483. https://doi.org/10.1353/tech.1999.0128

Marx, K. (2000). PART IV: PRODUCTION OF RELATIVE SURPLUS-VALUE. In Marx's Capital. Electric Book Company.

Rohde, J. (2017). Pax technologica: Computers, international affairs, and human reason in the cold war. Isis, 108(4), 792–813. https://doi.org/10.1086/69567