“[to the NASA workers] Al Harrison: Just to be clear in fourteen days, the Mercury Seven will be here for training, and I have no doubt in my mind that they’re going to be asking us questions about our work. I think that’s pretty reasonable given we’re putting a human on top of a missile, shooting…”Tagged: NASA, Space Program
“Al Harrison: Ruth, what’s the status on that computer? Ruth: She’s right behind you, Mr. Harrison. [he turns and sees Katherine] Al Harrison: Does she handle Analytic Geometry? Ruth: Absolutely, and she speaks. Katherine Johnson: Yes, sir, I do. Al Harrison: Which one? Katherine Johnson: Both.…”Tagged: NASA, Algorithms, Geometry, Frenet Frame
“Karl Zielinski: There is another opening in the Engineer Training Program. Mary Jackson: Flat head rivets would reduce wind drag. Karl Zielinski: Mary, a person with engineer’s mind should be an engineer. You can’t be a computer the rest of your life. Mary Jackson: Mr. Zielinski, I’m a Negro woman.…”Tagged: NASA, Nazi, Polish, Jew, Holocaust
“[referring to their meeting with Jim Webb] Al Harrison: How did that feel in there, Paul? You think you enlightened the administrator? Hm? No, he didn’t look enlightened to me. He look enlightened to you, Sam? Sam Turner: Not particularly. Al Harrison: And just so you know, he’s not wrong about what…”Tagged: russians, Spies, NASA, Space Program, IBM
“Dorothy Vaughan: Mrs. Mitchell, If I could. My application for supervisor, ma’am. I was just wondering if they’re still considering me for that position. Vivian Mitchell: Yes. Well, the official word is no. They’re not assigning a permanent supervisor for the colored group. Dorothy Vaughan: May I…”Tagged: NASA, Rocket Ships
“Vivian Mitchell: Space Task Group needs a computer, ASAP. Someone with a handle on analytic geometry. We can’t fill that position out of the east group. Dorothy Vaughan: Permanent or temp? Vivian Mitchell: Everything’s temporary, Dorothy. You have someone? Dorothy Vaughan: Yes, ma’am. Katherine’s…”Tagged: NASA, Geometry
“Jim Webb: A damn dog and a damn mannequin. And then, a 1.6 megaton RDS-37 thermonuclear warhead drops down in the middle of Des Moines. Paul Stafford: Well, that’s a pretty big jump, sir. Jim Webb: What? Paul Stafford: Just that, that… Jim Webb: Who the hell is he? Al Harrison: Paul Stafford, our…”Tagged: russians, Spies, NASA, John Glenn, Alan Shepard