The stories of many women throughout history trigger a melody in my head when I read them, “Big Eyes” by Lana Del Rey. Written for the movie Big Eyes in 2014, the song details the story of Margaret Keane, whose husband took credit for wildly popular paintings in the 1960s.
Across all mediums, areas of study, and incredible inventions, women have historically been overlooked and uncredited for their work. While studying interaction design, most referenced authors and founding thinkers have been exclusively men, and that has not been lost on me. As a woman in interaction design, Ada Lovelace and Lillian Gilbreth’s stories struck me with surprise and admiration.
Ada Lovelace, daughter of Lord Byron, combined her predisposed genetic ability to create with her incredible skills in mathematics to become the first computer programmer. Given her father’s involvement in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, perhaps the analytical engine spoke to Ada as a sort of Frankenstein of her own curious creation. Ada Lovelace is an inspiring figure for young women in interaction design, myself included. Her combination of imaginative vision and mathematical skill created an intersection for multiple ways of thinking to come together to support innovation.
Lillian Gilbreth is celebrated for her long, accomplished career, shaping the way women are viewed in the workplace, as well as how products are designed for women and those who are disabled and elderly. Her attention to the design of kitchens struck me as especially fascinating. The care and detail put into women’ s spaces to make them efficient and comfortable is interesting to learn about, as often we do not consider the extra care it took to design. Lillian Gilbreth combined psychology and emerging technologies together to forever change the way people worked, domestically and professionally, making her a legendary figure in interaction design.
Knowing women’s stories and crediting them for their work is incredibly valuable, as it allows us to inspire the next generations of women, as well as to see history from a more truthful lens. Ada Lovelace and Lillian Gilbreth’s stories are important and fascinating pieces of interaction design history.