Bertha is a name often used to refer to various historical and fictional characters. One notable example is Bertha Mason, a character from Charlotte Brontë's novel, "Jane Eyre." She is depicted as the first wife of Edward Rochester, who is kept hidden in the attic due to her mental illness. In a different context, "Bertha" can also refer to a type of large drilling machine, often used in construction and mining. These machines are designed to bore tunnels through rock and soil, making them essential for projects like subway systems and road tunnels.