Speaking of foundational figures within the history of interaction design, Ada Lovelace and Lillian Gilbreth indeed are contributing from various aspects. Meanwhile, Ada had contemplated a vision forCharles Babbage’s Analytical Engine that went beyond mere calculation. Her insights into how machines manipulate symbols and execute complex instructions laid the foundations for modern computing. This is the kind of visionary thinking that has been instrumental to interaction design, as interaction designers create intuitive, human-centered digital experiences based on her ideas. Her work expresses the importance of thinking beyond immediate functionality and imagining new possibilities for technology-a way of thinking that remains at the heart of interaction design today.
On the other hand, Lillian Gilbreth approached influencing how people interact with tools and systems by advocating a human approach toward efficiency and ergonomics. An industrial psychologist and engineer, she did research on how workplaces and domestic environments should be optimized for people to use, conducting pioneering research before the term user experience research was known. The emphasis on the usability and efficiency of systems by Gilbreth shows the deep connection between the human mind and design-a key consideration in IXD. In Lovelace and Gilbreth, we also learn that technology is not about machines; it is about design, and Interaction design is about making life easier for humans.