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A review by icecurtain
Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the Moon to Mars by Nathalia Holt
4.0
Not perfect, but an enjoyable tale of the women, known as "computers," who ran calculations for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, later NASA.
From a computer science perspective, they first used graph paper and slide rules. Then a typewriter-like contraption for basic calculations. Then supercomputers with punch cards, then personal computers.
From the perspective of women in the workforce, this delves into the challenges women faced. They were expected by society to have babies and stay home. On the other hand, employers expected that hiring women would be a mistake, as they would quit and stay home. They were so biased against pregnancy that one woman found herself fired for being pregnant. But over time, the women earned more professional respect.
This also provides glances into the lives of multiple women. Their professional triumphs and defeats, their personal loves and losses.
And through it all, the space race. The culture and politics, the rapidly improving technology.
This is a worthwhile listen.
From a computer science perspective, they first used graph paper and slide rules. Then a typewriter-like contraption for basic calculations. Then supercomputers with punch cards, then personal computers.
From the perspective of women in the workforce, this delves into the challenges women faced. They were expected by society to have babies and stay home. On the other hand, employers expected that hiring women would be a mistake, as they would quit and stay home. They were so biased against pregnancy that one woman found herself fired for being pregnant. But over time, the women earned more professional respect.
This also provides glances into the lives of multiple women. Their professional triumphs and defeats, their personal loves and losses.
And through it all, the space race. The culture and politics, the rapidly improving technology.
This is a worthwhile listen.