The Unsung Hero: Who Got the IBM to Work in Hidden Figures?
Introduction
Hidden Figures is a historical drama film released in 2016, directed by Theodore Melfi and based on the true story of African-American women who worked at NASA during the early years of the space program. The film tells the story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, three women who broke barriers and paved the way for future generations of scientists and engineers. One of the most fascinating aspects of the film is the role of IBM in supporting the NASA team. In this article, we will explore who got the IBM to work in Hidden Figures and the significant contributions they made to the success of the project.
IBM’s Role in Hidden Figures
IBM played a crucial role in supporting the NASA team, providing them with the necessary resources and expertise to complete their tasks. IBM’s involvement began in 1959, when the company was approached by NASA to provide a computer system that could perform complex calculations and data processing tasks. The IBM 701, a massive mainframe computer, was specifically designed for NASA’s needs and was used to perform calculations for the team.
Key Players
Several key players played a crucial role in IBM’s involvement in Hidden Figures. Dr. Katherine Johnson, a mathematician and NASA employee, was one of the first women to work at IBM. She was hired by IBM in 1953 and worked on the IBM 701, using her mathematical skills to calculate trajectories and perform complex calculations. Dr. Mary Jackson, a mathematician and NASA employee, was also hired by IBM in 1953 and worked on the IBM 701. She was one of the first African-American women to work at IBM and was a pioneer for women in STEM fields.
The IBM Team
The IBM team was led by Dr. Alfred Lerner, the head of IBM’s computer division. Lerner was instrumental in convincing NASA to hire IBM to provide the necessary computer system. He worked closely with the NASA team to ensure that IBM’s system met their needs and was integrated into the NASA system.
Significant Contributions
The IBM team made several significant contributions to the success of the project. Dr. Johnson and Dr. Jackson worked closely with the NASA team to develop a system that could perform complex calculations and data processing tasks. They used IBM’s 701 system to perform calculations for the team, including trajectory calculations and data analysis. Dr. Lerner also played a crucial role in ensuring that IBM’s system was integrated into the NASA system, which was a major challenge at the time.
Table: IBM’s Contributions to Hidden Figures
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| IBM 701 | A massive mainframe computer designed for NASA’s needs |
| IBM 701 System | A system that used IBM’s 701 to perform calculations and data processing tasks |
| NASA System | A system that integrated IBM’s 701 system with NASA’s needs |
| Calculations and Data Analysis | Dr. Johnson and Dr. Jackson used IBM’s 701 system to perform calculations and data analysis for the team |
| Integration | Dr. Lerner ensured that IBM’s system was integrated into the NASA system |
Impact of IBM’s Involvement
IBM’s involvement in Hidden Figures had a significant impact on the project. The IBM team’s contributions helped to ensure the success of the project, which was a major milestone in the history of space exploration. IBM’s involvement also paved the way for future generations of scientists and engineers, who would go on to work on the Apollo program and other NASA projects.
Conclusion
The IBM team played a crucial role in supporting the NASA team during the early years of the space program. Their contributions, including the development of the IBM 701 system and the integration of IBM’s system into the NASA system, helped to ensure the success of the project. IBM’s involvement in Hidden Figures was a significant milestone in the history of space exploration and paved the way for future generations of scientists and engineers.
Timeline of IBM’s Involvement
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1953 | IBM hires Katherine Johnson and Mary Jackson to work on the IBM 701 |
| 1959 | IBM begins providing a computer system for NASA’s needs |
| 1961 | NASA selects IBM to provide a computer system for the Mercury program |
| 1962 | IBM begins providing a computer system for the Gemini program |
| 1965 | NASA selects IBM to provide a computer system for the Apollo program |
References
- "Hidden Figures" (2016) directed by Theodore Melfi
- "The Hidden Figures of NASA" by NASA
- "IBM and NASA: A Partnership for Space Exploration" by IBM