Back in the 1960s, a revolutionary idea emerged from a couple of Harvard students: using computers for dating. These computers, often the size of an entire room back then, were already employed in businesses for tasks like processing company payrolls. But Jeff Tarr and his cohort saw a different potential—could these machines play cupid in the world of single students? Thus, the first computerized dating service, known as Operation Match, was born.

The Birth of a New Dating Era

Jeff Tarr, one of the innovators behind Operation Match, was motivated by his own lack of success in the dating world. With a summer job at the National Bureau of Casualty Underwriters, Tarr observed the power of computers like the IBM 1401 data processing system. Intrigued by its capabilities, he envisioned a system where people with similar interests could be matched through electronic means. The process involved creating a questionnaire and charging a fee of $3, which might seem modest now, but was a reasonable price for such a novel service.

How Operation Match Functioned

The model of Operation Match was simple yet groundbreaking. Participants filled out detailed questionnaires with questions ranging from interests like folk or rock 'n' roll music, to personal beliefs and self-assessments. Once completed, these questionnaires were submitted along with a check to Cambridge, where the data was processed. The promise of meeting someone compatible made the participants eager to enlist, returning completed forms to be fed into a machine. This culminated in personalized lists of potential matches.

The Human Side of Data

For users like Shelly Beaser and Marty Margolis, this wasn't just a technical novelty but a personal journey. As they received their matches, complete with names and phone numbers, the computer’s endorsement provided an icebreaker that made calling a stranger much less daunting. Shelly noted with delight how Larry Beaser, one of her matches, turned out to be a success, marking his profile with "excellent"—a sentiment that later led to marriage.

A Short-lived Revolution

Despite its early popularity, Operation Match didn’t maintain its initial momentum. The first success led to approximately 30,000 questionnaires being distributed, with a third returned alongside payment. As Tarr recalled, by their second year, the operation had expanded significantly, boasting about 200,000 participants nationwide. However, as with many novelties, interest waned as participants realized the novelty didn't always translate to lasting relationships or accurate matchmaking, likened by Tarr to the fleeting Hula-Hoop craze.

The Challenges of Early Dating Algorithms

The absence of photos and the lengthy turnaround time of about six weeks from submission to response were significant issues. While today’s dating apps offer instant connections, in the 1960s, patience was a necessary component of digital matchmaking. Moreover, honesty on the questionnaires varied, leading to some mismatches. For example, Patsy Tarr humorously lamented about receiving matches that didn’t quite match their self-described attributes.

Operation Match’s Legacy

While Operation Match itself was short-lived, its influence is undeniable. Jo and Marty Margolis’s marriage, as well as Larry and Shelly Beaser’s, are testaments to its successful matchmaking despite its limitations. The service demonstrated the potential for computers to facilitate human connections, laying the groundwork for future innovations in dating technology. Even though the hurdles were many, it planted the seeds of what would grow into today’s complex and instantaneous dating algorithms.

In essence, Operation Match was a pioneer, bringing computer technology into the realm of personal relationships, showing us the possibilities, however bumpy, of digital matchmaking. The idea that started as a summer curiosity among Harvard students set the stage for today’s tech-driven dating world, where finding love is just a swipe away.