Historische persoon

Gladys West

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Gladys West

Geslacht: Vrouw

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Gladys West is born

📅 27 Oktober 1930

West became a mathematician and programmer whose geodetic models contributed to the technology underlying GPS.

West models the shape of Earth

📅 27 Oktober 1930

She used satellite observations and numerical computation to refine an oblate, irregular model of the planet.

Satellite geodesy requires sustained mathematical labour

📅 27 Oktober 1930

Orbit calculations, error correction and large datasets were essential long before a navigation device could report a position.

Recognition comes late for a Black woman mathematician

📅 27 Oktober 1930

West's contribution remained little known publicly for decades, illustrating how technical teamwork can hide key individuals.