Computer science wasn’t always dominated by men. “In the beginning, the word ‘computers’ meant ‘women,’ ” says Ruth Oldenziel, a professor at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands who studies history, gender and technology. Six women programmed one of the most famous computers in history — the 30-ton Eniac — for the United States Army during World War II.
This is misleading.
First of all, it confuses "computer science" with "programming". Yes, programming certainly had high female presence back then. However, it was also largely considered a menial job - number crunching. Computer scientists were still majority male.
And it doesn't stop there. Later the article says:
>computer engineering, the most innovative sector of the economy
Even though computer engineering is neither computer science nor programming. It's a little linguistic sleight-of-hand the author pulls.
FWIW, according to this chart [1] I found, computer science itself, the bug bear of the article, is not the most innovative sector. It's farther down the list than computer engineering, electronic components, machinery, transportation, chemicals and even consumer products.
So actual, real, living people working in (what I assume is) our industry, say they feel uncomfortable, threatened and marginalized, and your reaction is nitpicking on the difference between programming and computer science?
I don't understand. You have information showing that women in tech don't feel uncomfortable and marginalized? Because that's the important point here.
This is misleading.
First of all, it confuses "computer science" with "programming". Yes, programming certainly had high female presence back then. However, it was also largely considered a menial job - number crunching. Computer scientists were still majority male.