Edith Clarke: The 'Human Computer' Who Revolutionized Engineering

In the years before computers came into invention, a group of humans known as the "human computers" were assigned to solve complex mathematical equations. In the era of 1950 and 1960, most of the professional programmers were women, mentions Clive Thompson - a tech journalist, in his book  ‘Coders’. Thompson calls coding in the ‘50s and ‘60s as “the rare white-collar occupation in which women could thrive.’’ These hidden figures were leaders and laid the foundation of modern programming and broke the gender barriers along with inspiring females to pursue careers as women in coding. One of the first and highest-regarded human computers was Edith Clarke, a female electrical engineer with vast experience and a deep understanding of complex mathematical equations. 

Early Life and Education

Edith was born in the year 1883 in Howard County, Maryland. She was orphaned at the age of 12 and was then sent to a boarding school in Maryland by her uncle, who was also her legal guardian. According to the societal norms of those times, it would have been more suitable to find a husband as soon as possible to support her financially and help her achieve a stable life. Still, Edith broke the barriers and used her parent's inheritance to pay for tuition at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. Here, she studied Mathematics and Astronomy and pursued her passion for science.

From Teacher to Engineer

After completing her undergraduate degree, Edith started her professional career as a math teacher, initially at a girls' school in San Francisco and later at Marshall College in West Virginia. During this period, when she taught Mathematics, her passion for Engineering developed more, which led her to enroll in the University of Wisconsin for certification in a civil engineering program.

Edith's Breakthrough and World War I

During her studies at the University of Wisconsin, Edith took a life-changing turn by securing a job as a computer assistant working alongside the renowned researcher Dr. George Ashley Campbell at AT&T. When World War 1 erupted in 1914, Edith was amongst the group of women known as 'human computers,' who were responsible for the critical calculations for AT&T's transmission and protection of the Engineering department. This experience motivated her to pursue her passion for Engineering and complex problem-solving.

A group of Women Computers at the Harvard College Observatory. Image Source: atlasobscura

A Historical Milestone

With the conclusion of World War 1 and Edith's experience working as a human computer, she decided to go against societal norms. Edith graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1918. She earned an MSc. degree in 1919 and became the first-ever woman to receive this degree from the engineering department at MIT. Her tremendous achievement marked a significant milestone for women in the Engineering field.

Invention of 'Clarke Calculator'

After graduating from MIT, Edith started her professional journey at General Electric (GE). Here, she revolutionized the field of Electrical Engineering with her groundbreaking invention, the 'Clarke Calculator.' The Clarke Calculator was a graphical tool designed to simplify complex equations related to electric power transmission, and this invention led to saving countless hours that were spent on complicated calculations and helped solve problems at a much faster speed.

Edith's Contribution and Achievements

Edith is the first woman to present a scientific paper, 'Steady-State Stability in Transmission Systems,' at the American Institute of Electrical Engineers annual meeting. In addition, she was also a pioneering woman to achieve a professional position in the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. In 1947, Edith reached another historic milestone by teaching at the University of Texas and becoming the first female electrical engineering professor in the United States. Despite all that she achieved during her 76 years, Edith had hardly any media relevance. It was not until 2005, almost half a century after her death, that she became a part of the Inventors Hall of Fame of the United States of America.

Edith's life journey is one of determination, strong will, Intelligence, and motivation, specifically for women in coding. She has inspired countless other females to pursue their careers in STEM. Her legacy reminds us that regardless of gender, it is possible to impact Engineering and Technology significantly. The future generations will be inspired by Edith’s story of how a 'human computer' set her mark in history.

Women in STEMTayyaba Qamar