On February 15, 1946, the first programmable, electronic, and digital computer, known as the ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), was installed at the University of Pennsylvania. This landmark development in computing technology represented the culmination of efforts that combined various features previously seen in earlier machines. While other computers had some of these characteristics, the ENIAC was the first to encapsulate them all, laying the foundation for modern computing systems.

Designed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly, the ENIAC was a powerful machine that required over 7,200 hours of work. Interestingly, the programming of this monumental device was entrusted to six women, known as the "ENIAC Girls". These women—Fran Bilas, Jean Jennings, Ruth Lichterman, Kay McNulty, Betty Snyder, and Marlyn Wescoff—were carefully selected from a pool of approximately 200 applicants. They played a crucial role in pioneering programming, alongside Ada Lovelace, although their contributions went largely unrecognized in their time.

The ENIAC itself was an enormous machine, covering an area of 180 square meters and weighing about 30 tons. Its installation not only revolutionized the technology of its time but also highlighted the importance and capabilities of women in a field that has historically seen underrepresentation. The story of the ENIAC and its programmers serves as a reminder of the collaborative nature of innovation and the need to acknowledge the contributions of all individuals involved.