Search results
Gladys Mae West (née Brown; born October 27, 1930 [1]) is an American mathematician. She is known for her contributions to mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth, and her work on the development of satellite geodesy models, that were later incorporated into the Global Positioning System (GPS). [2]
Gladys West was born in Sutherland, Virginia, in the early days of the Great Depression. Her parents worked hard to make ends meet in the rural town, which afforded its Black residents few job prospects beyond farming and processing tobacco.
Oct 23, 2024 · Gladys West, African American mathematician whose work was crucial to the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS). West is often considered one of history’s ‘hidden figures.’ Learn more about Gladys West and her accomplishments in this article.
- Meg Matthias
The campaign, led by figures such as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, challenged racism across the country. More than a quarter of a million people marched to the Lincoln Memorial, to listen to ...
Feb 13, 2023 · Dr. Gladys West made groundbreaking contributions to the invention of GPS technology. Learn how the hidden figure left her mark on science and our use of modern navigation.
Mar 8, 2024 · Gladys West was among a small group of women who did computing for the U.S. military during the early days of the Cold War, including Defense Department work that eventually became the basis...
People also ask
What did Gladys Mae West do?
Who was Gladys West?
Where did Gladys West and Sam Smith work?
How did Gladys West contribute to the creation of GPS?
Who was Gladys Mae Brown?
Why was Gladys West inducted into the Air Force Space & Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame?
Oct 16, 2020 · Geodesists accurately define coordinates of key places on the Earth’s surface – which West did using satellites – in order to reliably map the Earth. West’s work mostly focused on oceans, as these play a major role in determining irregularities in the shape of the Earth.