Chapter 13: Turbulence - Katherine Gobble

Katherine Gobble's temporary assignment to the flight research division was becoming permanent after six months.
Dorothy Vaughan advocated for Katherine to either receive a raise or be returned to her West Area Computing Office.
Dorothy wanted Katherine to be classified as a permanent member of West Computing or an official member of the flight research division.
The manager, despite not supporting women in the workforce, offered Catherine a full-time position with a salary increase.

Engineers in the flight research division recognized Katherine's mathematical skills and versatility.
The division comprised high-energy, free-thinking, aggressive, and intelligent engineers.
They worked with live aircraft and were dedicated to their research.
The head of the division improved research quality by training as a test pilot.
The division was demanding and expected quick understanding from all members.
Katherine's curiosity and mathematical confidence enabled her to ask questions.
Engineers willingly shared their extensive knowledge of flight.
Branches within the division explored topics like supersonic planes and space travel.

Katherine's branch examined safety concerns and investigated plane crashes.
Her first assignment involved investigating a piper propeller plane accident that occurred without apparent cause.
The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) received the plane's flight recorder.
The flight recorder tracked aircraft speed, acceleration, and altitude to help determine the cause of the crash.
Katherine analyzed photographic images of the plane's instruments recorded in small time increments.

Katherine discovered the propeller plane flew perpendicular to a larger jet plane that had passed through the area.
Engineers recreated the accident circumstances by flying a test plane into the trailing wake of a larger plane.
The data revealed that air turbulence from the jet could persist for up to half an hour.
This turbulence caused the smaller propeller plane to crash.

The research led to updated air traffic regulations that required minimum distances between flight paths to prevent similar accidents.
Catherine found the report interesting and felt satisfied with her contribution.

Katherine felt comfortable at Langley and enjoyed her intelligent and opinionated colleagues.
Despite being aware of discrimination, she chose to focus on her work and not dwell on it.
She used segregated bathrooms without concern, even when colored bathrooms were not available.

After two years in Newsom Park, Katherine's husband wanted to move out of the projects.
They relocated to Mimosa Crescent, a World War II-era neighborhood in Hampton for middle-class black families.
Mimosa Crescent had expanded, attracting prosperous families.
Katherine felt she was living the American dream with a new home, fulfilling job, and successful daughters.

In 1955, Katherine's husband became ill and was diagnosed with an untreatable brain tumor.
He passed away in December 1956, leaving Catherine devastated.
Katherine remained strong and promised her husband to support their daughters' futures.

Katherine allowed herself and her daughters to mourn until the end of the year before returning to work.
She instructed the school principal not to give her daughters special treatment and to ensure they were prepared for college.

As a single mother, Katherine established new household rules, including her daughters ironing her clothes and preparing dinner.
She took on the roles of both mother and father, providing love, discipline, and financial support.
The Gobel children excelled in school, pursued music lessons, and were well-behaved.
Katherine guided her daughters towards the opportunities of democracy.

Catherine's husband's death divided her life in two.
At 38, she was a widow, single mother, and successful professional.
Her husband helped launch her career, and his support would impact her future.
In January 1957, Catherine and her daughters returned to their routines as the next phase of her life began.