People — Fact Central

Ada Lovelace

Published 02 October 2026

Ada Lovelace wrote what's often called the first computer program in 1843, a century before anyone built a machine that could run it. Her father was Lord Byron.

Isaac Newton

Published 02 October 2026

Isaac Newton once ran the Royal Mint like a detective, hunting counterfeiters in disguise, and sent at least one to the gallows.

Roald Dahl

Published 02 October 2026

Roald Dahl crashed a fighter plane in the Libyan desert, helped design a medical valve and was buried with a power saw and a bottle of burgundy.