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The First Computer Bug Was an Insect

In 1947, a team of engineers at Harvard University was working on the Harvard Mark II computer when they encountered a problem. On June 21, 1947, they found that the machine had developed a fault due to a moth that had become stuck in one of the relays. The team taped the moth to the computer log and wrote "First actual case of bug being found" - thus coining the term "bug" to describe a technical glitch. This incident is documented in the Harvard Mark II log, verifying the event.