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In a new article for Wired News, Simson Garfinkel describes what he deems to be the ten worst software bugs in history (so far).
It is a grim tale of lost spacecraft, explosions, and some unfortunate fatalaties. He also makes a passing reference to the first software bug ever recorded, pictured to the right.
From the article:
1982 — Soviet gas pipeline. Operatives working for the Central Intelligence Agency allegedly (.pdf) plant a bug in a Canadian computer system purchased to control the trans-Siberian gas pipeline. The Soviets had obtained the system as part of a wide-ranging effort to covertly purchase or steal sensitive U.S. technology. The CIA reportedly found out about the program and decided to make it backfire with equipment that would pass Soviet inspection and then fail once in operation. The resulting event is reportedly the largest non-nuclear explosion in the planet’s history.
Found on BoingBoing.net
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Printed from https://www.damninteresting.com/retired/historys-worst-software-bugs/
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I can’t help but post where no one has posted before. ahemtrekkiecough
My friends father was one of the men that created ENIAC at Penn University (he has passed away.) No, really. I know!! Like, how come “I” know someone of that intellectual stature? Believe me I am as stumped as you!
fyi, the link here and on BoingBoing no longer works. I tried searching on Wired to no avail.
Try this link:
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/bugs/0,2924,69355,00.html
The article said:
The moth was trapped, removed and taped into the computer’s logbook with the words: “first actual case of a bug being found.”
The wording of that makes me question the true origin of the phrase “computer bug.” It sounds like the term was in use even before this event…
Enter your reply text here. OK
I will now say “computer moth”.
Dear m256, the term, “a bug in the system” predates the computer-age. sorry to disappoint you but the wording does not cause one to wonder. early autos had problems with “bugs” in the fuel systems, all electrical systems can have problems with “bugs”, especially old early systems. etc. etc. etc. NO DARK CONSPIRACIES HERE!