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  • Subject: Re: RPG Trivia
  • From: Douglas Handy <dhandy1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Fri, 06 Apr 2001 16:08:12 -0400

Leif,

>The use of "bug" to mean an industrial defect was
>already established in Thomas Edison's time, and a
>more specific and rather modern use can be found
>in an electrical handbook from 1896 

So the question now becomes, was Grace familiar with that usage and made a
purposeful play on words after finding the infamous moth?  She seems like the
type of colorful person who may have done that.  And this is perhaps supported
by her notation in the notebook next to the taped moth which reads "First actual
case of bug being found.".  This suggests that prior to this the term bug may
have been known to her and her peers in relation to a defect.

I at least attribute Grace with contributing to the widespread use of the word
in reference to computers.  Even if she was making an intentional pun.  And now
the story has an even more interesting twist.  Thanks!

Doug
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