Hidden Figures
An inspiring tale of African American women mathematicians at NASA.
Summary of 6 Key Points
Key Points
- Breaking Racial and Gender Barriers
- The Space Race and NASA’s Hidden Workforce
- The Personal Lives of the Human Computers
- Professional Challenges and Perseverance
- Significant Contributions to Aeronautics
- Recognition and Legacy
key point 1 of 6
Breaking Racial and Gender Barriers
The narrative of ‘Hidden Figures’ delves into the personal and professional lives of African American women mathematicians working at NASA during the Space Race. It underscores the dual hurdles of racism and sexism that these women faced in the male-dominated, racially segregated environment of the 1950s and 1960s. Despite the societal norms of the era, these women played critical roles in the success of NASA’s missions, including John Glenn’s historic orbit of the Earth…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 6
The Space Race and NASA’s Hidden Workforce
During the Space Race, a period marked by the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union to achieve superior spaceflight capability, NASA found itself in a desperate talent hunt to outpace its adversaries. This led to the recruitment of a group of African American women, known as ‘human computers,’ who played a crucial role in calculating mathematical equations that would ultimately enable space exploration. These women faced the double challenge of both gender and racial discrimination, yet their intellectual contribution was pivotal in the various missions, including astronaut John Glenn’s successful orbit around the Earth…Read&Listen More
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The Personal Lives of the Human Computers
The ‘Human Computers’ at Langley Research Center, who played a critical role in the United States’ aeronautics and space programs, were not just mathematical geniuses; they were women with rich personal lives. These women, many of whom were African American, balanced their demanding work with their roles as mothers, wives, and active members of their communities. They faced the added challenges of segregation and discrimination in mid-20th century America, which extended into their professional and personal lives. Their perseverance in the face of these obstacles was a testament to their strength and commitment both to their careers and families…Read&Listen More
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Professional Challenges and Perseverance
The professional challenges faced by the African American women mathematicians at Langley Research Center, particularly during the 1940s to 1960s, were steeped in both racial and gender discrimination. Despite their immense talent and critical contributions to the aeronautics industry, these women, often referred to as ‘human computers,’ were segregated from their white counterparts and faced limitations on their professional growth. They worked in a separate section known as the West Area Computing Unit, and often received less recognition and lower pay compared to white male engineers and mathematicians…Read&Listen More
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Significant Contributions to Aeronautics
The significant contributions to aeronautics by the African American women mathematicians at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became NASA, are vividly chronicled. These women, known as ‘human computers’, played a crucial role in the development of aeronautical technologies. Their work included complex calculations for flight paths, wind tunnels, and the design of aircraft. Despite facing racial and gender discrimination, they persisted in their work which proved foundational for breakthroughs in air and space travel…Read&Listen More
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Recognition and Legacy
The story of ‘Hidden Figures’ brings to light the invaluable contributions of a group of African-American women mathematicians to the United States’ space program during the mid-20th century. Their work at the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, was instrumental in launching the first American astronauts into space. Despite facing gender and racial discrimination in an era of segregation, these ‘human computers’ displayed resilience and genius, calculating trajectories, launch windows, and emergency return paths…Read&Listen More