Hidden figures

What was the purpose of the ad placed by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in 1943?

To recruit women for jobs previously filled by men due to the labor shortage caused by World War II.

What was the mission of the NACA during World War II?

To help the United States develop powerful and efficient airplanes for military use.

How many airplanes did President Roosevelt challenge the nation to produce annually by 1941?

Fifty thousand airplanes per year.

What significant role did the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory play in airplane production?

It was where designs were developed, tested, and refined before manufacturing.

What was the role of female mathematicians at the Langley Laboratory?

They were responsible for performing computations to process data from engineering tests.

What term was used to describe female mathematicians working at Langley in the 1940s?

Computers.

What was the classification of female mathematicians at Langley that limited their pay and recognition?

Subprofessionals.

Who encouraged President Roosevelt to sign the executive order for desegregation in the federal government?

Civil rights leader A. Philip Randolph.

What did the executive order signed by Roosevelt create?

The Fair Employment Practices Committee.

What was the significance of the training classes created at black colleges during WWII?

They provided skills necessary for African Americans to succeed in war jobs.

What was the racial composition of the workspaces at Langley for mathematicians?

The East Area Computers were all white, while the West Area Computers were all black, except for the supervisor and her assistant.

What challenges did African American women face when starting work at Langley?

They had to adapt to a new environment and deal with segregation practices in Hampton, Virginia.

What was the societal context in Hampton, Virginia, regarding race during the time the black mathematicians were hired?

African Americans faced segregation and could not use the same facilities as whites.

What was the impact of the contributions of female African American mathematicians during WWII?

They helped shatter racial and gender barriers while making critical contributions

to the war effort.

What did the engineers at Langley create to test airplane designs?

Wind tunnels to simulate flying conditions.

What was the result of small design changes made to airplanes during testing?

They led to significant improvements in performance, which could impact the war's outcome.

How did the hiring of black mathematicians at Langley differ from previous employment practices?

It marked a shift from hiring mostly white employees to including African Americans in technical roles.

What was the perception of female mathematicians' abilities compared to their male counterparts at Langley?

They proved to be equally or more capable in computations than many male engineers.

What was the historical significance of the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory?

It was a pioneer in integrating women and African Americans into technical roles during WWII.

What did the phrase 'Victory through Air Power' signify at Langley?

It reflected the commitment of the staff to contribute to the war effort through aviation advancements.

What was the initial perception of women working in roles traditionally held by men before WWII?

Most employers would not consider hiring women for such positions.

What was the primary job of the female mathematicians referred to as 'computers'?

To process and analyze data collected during engineering tests.

In what year did female mathematicians begin working at Langley?

1935.

What was the effect of the war on employment opportunities for women?

It opened up new job opportunities as men went off to fight, leading to increased hiring of women.