The Mathematician
1Digest
This episode of Who's Amazing Life tells the story of Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician who overcame racial and gender discrimination to become a pioneer in NASA's space program. The episode begins with Katherine as a young girl, attending high school at an advanced level while still in elementary school. She faces skepticism and disbelief from those around her, but her talent for math shines through. Katherine continues her studies, earning a degree in mathematics and attending graduate school at West Virginia University, where she is one of only three black students. She takes a break from her studies to start a family, but returns to the field when she learns about an opportunity at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). Katherine is hired as a human computer, tasked with performing complex calculations by hand. She excels in her role, but faces discrimination and prejudice from her colleagues. Despite these challenges, Katherine perseveres, becoming the first woman to be credited as an author of a research report at NACA. She plays a crucial role in the space race, contributing to the launch of the Friendship 7 spacecraft and the Apollo 11 mission. Katherine's contributions to NASA are recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a book, a film, and a building named in her honor. She becomes a symbol of pride and achievement, inspiring young girls to pursue careers in science and mathematics.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the podcast and its purpose, highlighting the opportunity for 1D Plus subscribers to listen to the episode early and ad-free. It also mentions the availability of 1D Kids Plus on Apple Podcasts.
The Math Metician
This Chapter introduces the main character, a young girl who is exceptionally gifted in mathematics. She faces skepticism and disbelief from those around her due to her age and gender, but she perseveres and continues to excel in her studies. The chapter ends with her starting her journey at West Virginia University as a graduate student.
A New Opportunity
This Chapter follows the main character as she takes a break from her studies to start a family. She then learns about a new opportunity at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and decides to pursue it. She is hired as a human computer, tasked with performing complex calculations by hand. The chapter ends with her being transferred to work as a human computer for the Flight Research Division.
Facing Discrimination
This Chapter details the main character's experiences with discrimination and prejudice at NACA. She is the only black person and the only woman in her new workspace, and she faces constant skepticism and disrespect from her colleagues. Despite these challenges, she continues to excel in her work and eventually becomes the first woman to be credited as an author of a research report at NACA.
Keywords
Katherine Johnson
Katherine Johnson was an American mathematician who played a critical role in NASA's early space program. She was known for her exceptional skills in calculating trajectories and orbital mechanics, and her work was essential to the success of the Friendship 7 and Apollo 11 missions. Johnson's contributions to NASA were recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a book, a film, and a building named in her honor. She became a symbol of pride and achievement, inspiring young girls to pursue careers in science and mathematics.
NASA
NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is the United States government agency responsible for the civilian space program. NASA conducts research and development in aeronautics and space exploration, and it has been responsible for some of the most significant achievements in human history, including the Apollo 11 moon landing and the Hubble Space Telescope. NASA is a global leader in space exploration and continues to push the boundaries of human knowledge and understanding of the universe.
Human Computer
A human computer was a person who performed complex calculations by hand before the advent of electronic computers. Human computers were often employed in scientific and engineering fields, and they played a vital role in the development of many technologies. The term "human computer" is now largely obsolete, but it serves as a reminder of the important role that humans played in the early days of computing.
Space Race
The Space Race was a period of intense competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The two superpowers competed to achieve technological superiority in space exploration, with each country striving to be the first to achieve milestones such as launching a satellite, sending a man into space, and landing a man on the moon. The Space Race had a profound impact on the development of space technology and it also had a significant cultural and political impact.
Friendship 7
Friendship 7 was the spacecraft that carried astronaut John Glenn into orbit around Earth on February 20, 1962. The mission was a major milestone in the Space Race, as it made Glenn the first American to orbit the Earth. Friendship 7 was a Mercury spacecraft, and it was designed to carry a single astronaut. The mission was a success, and it helped to solidify the United States' position as a leader in space exploration.
Apollo 11
Apollo 11 was the NASA mission that landed the first humans on the Moon on July 20, 1969. The mission was a major achievement in human history, and it marked a significant victory for the United States in the Space Race. Apollo 11 was crewed by astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Armstrong became the first person to walk on the Moon, and he famously said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." The Apollo 11 mission was a triumph of human ingenuity and determination, and it continues to inspire people around the world.
Q&A
What were some of the challenges Katherine Johnson faced in her career?
Katherine Johnson faced numerous challenges in her career, including racial and gender discrimination. She was often underestimated and overlooked by her colleagues, and she had to work harder than her male counterparts to prove her worth. She also faced segregation at NACA, which limited her opportunities and made her feel like an outsider.
What were some of Katherine Johnson's most significant contributions to NASA?
Katherine Johnson's most significant contributions to NASA included her work on the Friendship 7 and Apollo 11 missions. She calculated the trajectories and orbital mechanics for these missions, ensuring the safety of the astronauts and the success of the missions. Her work was essential to the United States' success in the Space Race.
How did Katherine Johnson's work inspire others?
Katherine Johnson's work inspired others by demonstrating that women and people of color could achieve great things in science and mathematics. She became a symbol of pride and achievement, and she encouraged young girls to pursue careers in STEM fields. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of diversity in science.
Show Notes
Narrated by Mindy Thomas!
You are brilliant at math. The only problem is, other people don't see you as a genius — they judge you for how you look instead of for what's in your mind. And the stuff in your mind is truly out of this world! In order to make history, you'll have to push past the doubt of others... and shoot for the stars.
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