trade-size paperback.

from the back cover:
Before John Glenn orbited the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as "human computers" used pencils, slide rules, and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space.

Among these problem-solvers were a group of exceptionally talented African American women. Originally math teachers in the South's segregated public schools, these gifted professionals answered Uncle Sam's call during the labor shortages of World War II. With new jobs at the fascinating, high-energy world of the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory in Hampton, Virginia, they finally had a shot at jobs that would push their skills to the limits.

Even as Virginia's Jim Crow laws required them to be segregated from their white counterparts, the women of Langley's all-black "West Computing" group helped America achieve one of the things it desired most: a decisive victory over the Soviet Union in the Cold War, and complete domination of the heavens.

Much more indepth and inspirational than the movie.

Sent on as requested from the NonFic VBB.

Arrived in the mail - thank-you! And, once again, apologies for being such a dolt about where I was PMing (into the path of a hurricane)

This was a very interesting & heartbreaking read - to have to contend not only with being women in a technical field, but African-American women took a hell of a lot of character & strength...I can't even begin to imagine. That this kind of crap is still going on is beyond belief. Well, I believe it, but - grrrrr.
I will add this back to the VBB for the next round & see if anyone else is interested. Thank-you for sharing.

220526 - this was not claimed from the VBB, so I wild-released it in Albuquerque, NM, on UNM's north campus.

Fitz Hall lobby