Showing posts with label moth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label moth. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 09, 2015

Remove the Moth


"We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. They do not exist."
- Queen Victoria

On September 9, 1945 faculty members at the Harvard Computation Laboratory were attempting to trace an error in the Mark II Computer. This new computer was being constructed with high-speed electromagnetic relays instead of electro-mechanical counters used in an earlier version. Thus making it faster than its predecessor.

Moore's Law for computers was very much in its infancy.

The error was elusive until they traced it to a moth trapped in one of the relays. This is where people first coined the term "bug." It is better known today as a "software bug." This bug was carefully removed and taped to their log book and now you know.


An amusing story but an eye opening one which shows that people were persistent in their quest to build faster and more powerful computers. Their vision was not deterred by a single moth frustrating their efforts. These folks were not going to be defeated.

The possibility of defeat should not be your first thought.

The possibility of achievement should be your path in all that you do. To chose a path of defeat as your first step only creates a wall. A wall that you must first climb, tear down or walk around. It is an obstacle that you self-create and only makes the journey that much harder.

Believe in the vision or goal from the beginning and see that the start of your journey is possible. Than start moving. Should a moth get in the way, remove it and move on.

Stay inspired my friends!