What hidden figures are in the movie hidden figures?

The Real “Hidden Figures”: More Than Just a Movie – These Women Were NASA Rock Stars

Okay, so you’ve seen Hidden Figures, right? That movie shone a light on some seriously amazing African-American women who were basically unsung heroes at NASA during the Space Race. And while Hollywood took a few liberties (they always do!), the core of the story is absolutely true: these women were essential to some of the biggest achievements in space exploration. Let’s dig a little deeper and get to know these incredible individuals.

Katherine Johnson: The OG Human Computer Who Made Spaceflights Possible

Katherine Johnson (born way back in 1918 and living a full life until 2020) wasn’t just a mathematician; she was a freakin’ wizard with numbers. Her calculations were the backbone of the first U.S. crewed spaceflights. Seriously, think about that for a second. From figuring out the trajectory for Alan Shepard’s history-making first flight in 1961 to double-checking the math for John Glenn’s orbit in ’62, her accuracy was legendary.

And get this: before Glenn went up, he specifically asked that Katherine herself re-verify the computer’s calculations. Can you imagine the pressure? “If she says they’re good, then I’m ready to go,” he said. That’s trust, right there. But she didn’t stop there. She also crunched numbers for the Apollo 11 moon landing and even helped develop the Space Shuttle program. This woman worked at NASA (and its earlier version, NACA) from ’53 to ’86. Talk about a career! She shattered barriers, defied expectations, and rightfully earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. About time, if you ask me.

Dorothy Vaughan: Breaking Barriers as NASA’s First African-American Supervisor and a FORTRAN Whiz

Dorothy Vaughan (born in 1910 and passing in 2008) was another total badass. She was a mathematician and, get this, NASA’s first African-American supervisor. In 1949, she took charge of the West Area Computing Unit, which was basically a segregated group of brilliant black female mathematicians. Dorothy wasn’t just a boss; she was an advocate. She fought for her team, making sure they got fair treatment and opportunities.

But here’s where it gets even cooler: Dorothy saw the writing on the wall with the rise of electronic computers. So, what did she do? She taught herself FORTRAN programming. And then, like the amazing leader she was, she shared that knowledge with her team, prepping them for the future at NASA. She became a FORTRAN expert and contributed to the Scout Launch Vehicle Program. From 1943 to 1971, she was a force to be reckoned with at NACA/NASA.

Mary Jackson: Making History as NASA’s First Black Female Engineer

Mary Jackson (born in ’21 and passed in ’05) completes this trifecta of awesome. She started as a “human computer,” but she had bigger dreams. Someone recognized her potential and encouraged her to pursue engineering. Now, remember this was a time of segregation. So, Mary had to petition the City of Hampton just to get permission to attend classes with white students. Seriously, the hoops she had to jump through! But she did it. She finished the courses, and in 1958, she became NASA’s first African-American female engineer.

She dove into wind tunnel research, analyzed data from aircraft flight experiments, and later in her career, she dedicated herself to helping other women and minorities advance in STEM at NASA. She started at NACA in ’51 and retired in ’85. What a legacy.

The West Area Computing Unit: Where the Magic Happened

These three women were at the heart of the West Area Computing unit at Langley Research Center. Think of it as a hub of sheer brilliance, even though it was a segregated unit. These African-American women performed mind-bogglingly complex calculations by hand, and their work was absolutely critical for aeronautical research and the early space program. Despite facing discrimination, the “West Computers” proved their worth time and time again.

Fact vs. Fiction: A Little Hollywood Reality Check

Okay, let’s be real. Hidden Figures is a movie, and movies often play fast and loose with the truth. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Composite Characters: Some characters, like Kevin Costner’s character, were amalgams of several real people. It’s Hollywood; they simplify things.
• Timeline Stuff: The movie squishes the timeline, making it seem like the women were all besties working side-by-side all the time. The reality was a bit more nuanced.
• Segregation on Screen: While the movie definitely showed the challenges of segregation, some specific scenes, like Katherine Johnson’s bathroom breaks, were exaggerated or based on Mary Jackson’s experiences. Katherine herself said she didn’t feel segregated at work.

The Real Takeaway: A Story That Still Matters

Look, even with the Hollywood-isms, Hidden Figures did something amazing: it brought the stories of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson to the world. These women stared down prejudice, crushed expectations, and paved the way for generations of African-American women in STEM. Their story reminds us that diversity matters, inclusion is essential, and we need to recognize all the hidden figures who’ve shaped our world. And that’s a story worth telling.