Harvard Computers, 1892

Harvard computers working in a room in the new brick building, built in 1892. Williamina Fleming is standing, in front of her are Evelyn Leland (back... more

by Science Source

Title

Harvard Computers, 1892

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Science Source

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Photograph

Description

Harvard computers working in a room in the new brick building, built in 1892. Williamina Fleming is standing, in front of her are Evelyn Leland (back row center) and Ida Woods to the right. The rest are unidentified, although the woman closest to the camera could be A. J. Cannon. Edward Pickering (director of the Harvard Observatory from 1877 to 1919) decided to hire women as skilled workers to process astronomical data. This staff came to be known as Pickering's Harem. The first woman hired was Williamina Fleming, who was working as a maid for Pickering. It seems that Pickering was increasingly frustrated with his male assistants and declared that even his maid could do a better job. Apparently he was not mistaken, as Fleming undertook her assigned chores efficiently. When the Harvard Observatory received in 1886 a generous donation from the widow of Henry Draper, Pickering decided to hire more female staff and put Fleming in charge of them. They usually earned between 25 and 50 cents per hour, more than a factory worker but less than a clerical one. Harvard University Archives.

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April 22nd, 2019