Special Ada Lovelace Event on Oct. 6 with Dr. Katherine Pandora

In conjunction with the University of Oklahoma Libraries’ Computer Revolutions exhibit, Dr. Katherine Pandora, Associate Professor in OU's Department of History of Science, Technology, and Medicine, will present a public lecture on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. on the first floor of Bizzell Memorial Library. Ada Lovelace Day, held annually on the second Tuesday in October, celebrates the 1843 publication of an essay now often regarded as the historical boundary between calculators and computers. What made Lovelace’s essay significant? Why is it popularly regarded as the first computer program, written generations before the rise of the modern computer? Dr. Pandora will reflect on Lovelace’s status as an icon of popular science and explore how public perception of her achievement has evolved over the last half-century.

Computer Revolutions explores the profound impact of the personal computer on everyday life and society through a display of rare technological artifacts and other primary sources. Drawing from the holdings of the Libraries’ History of Science Collections, the free exhibit will be on view on the first floor of Bizzell Memorial Library through March 2027.

An original copy of Lovelace’s rare publication, “Notes” on Charles Babbage’s Sketch of the Analytical Engine, will be available for viewing before and after the presentation.

After the presentation, exhibit curators will be on hand to walk attendees through the exhibit.

Light refreshments will be provided in the Daniel J. & Ruth F. Boorstin Collection room. The event is open to all.

The exhibit may be viewed during Bizzell Memorial Library's open hours.

For more information, email the Special Research Collections.