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The 'Human Computer' Behind the Moon Landing Was a Black Woman (thedailybeast.com)

Posted by msmash on from the more-power-to-women dept.

Reader bricko writes: The 'Human Computer' Behind the Moon Landing Was a black woman (video). She calculated the trajectory of man's first trip to the moon by hand, and was such an accurate mathematician that John Glenn asked her to double-check NASA's computers. To top it off, she did it all as a black woman in the 1950s and 60s, when women at NASA were not even invited to meetings. And you've probably never heard of her. Meet Katherine Johnson, the African American woman who earned the nickname 'the human computer' at NASA during its space race golden age.

4 of 269 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Computers by U2xhc2hkb3QgU3Vja3M · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, if history is any indication, any job ending in "er" will be replaced by machines.

    Computer, driver, teacher, waiter, progra-GO BACK TO WORK, SLAVES!

  2. One small step for black women by frovingslosh · · Score: 1, Funny

    I guess this would be a lot more impressive if we had actually gone to the moon in the 60's. But it's a nice feel good story and helps perpetuate Nixon's myth.

    --
    I'm an American. I love this country and the freedoms that we used to have.
  3. Re:Link? by Hognoxious · · Score: 4, Funny

    Use mathematics to debunk supersticians.

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  4. Re:Computers by alvinrod · · Score: 3, Funny

    I guess that all the doctors are safe then.

    Also the proctologists, because who really wants to deal with assholes all day?