Tech History: The First Computer Bug Was... an actual Moth?!

In the world of tech, we talk about “bugs” all the time—those frustrating glitches that break code or crash systems. But did you know the term "computer bug" actually comes from a real-life insect?

The Year Was 1947

Engineers working on the Harvard Mark II computer noticed something strange: the machine wasn’t working properly. When they opened it up, they found the culprit…

A moth.

It had gotten stuck in one of the relays, causing the malfunction. The team taped the insect into their logbook with the note:

“First actual case of bug being found.”

And just like that, tech history was made.

Final Thought

Today, “bug” is a universal term in programming—but it all started with a literal moth in a room-sized computer. Proof that even the tiniest things can leave a big legacy.