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Vaughan, Dorothy

1910-2008 · Contribution: 1949-1971

Mathematician and computer programmer

Electronic computing and FORTRAN programming at NACA/NASA Langley; taught herself and her staff FORTRAN to prepare the center's transition from human to machine computing; headed the programming section of the Analysis and Computation Division and contributed to the Scout Launch Vehicle Program

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Technology & Engineering

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Quick facts

Born
1910, Kansas City, Missouri
Active since
1943
Category
Technology & Engineering
Best known for
First Black woman to supervise a unit at NACA/NASA

Impact on the world

Vaughan led a team of Black women 'human computers' and then guided their transition into electronic computer programming, ensuring they remained essential as the machines arrived.

An alternative history

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