Absolutely love this movie - grew up during the space race from its earliest day and pissed the contributions of such incredible people like these three women where completely . . . well, hidden. Looking forward to your reactions and will be tearing up at all the happy moments once again. PS - although the movie IS based on true events, they had to shift stuff around to make a coherent storyline. The three women barely know each other, if at all, definitely not close friends. They also didn't work at exactly the same years. Also, Kathrine did NOT have a problem with the rest room issue. She just used the ladies room in the main building and not one complained, but it was a problem for Mary Jackson. The story takes place at Langley, VA (near DC), although the rockets were launched at Cape Canaveral. The Houston space center was set up in 1961. Florida was chosen for the launch site because the closer to the equator, the faster the actual speed of the earth is at that point, thus requiring a bit less speed of the rocket itself - and Florida kept it within the US borders. Fortran is short for "formula translation" (Cobol was "common business-oriented language"). Computers didn't have much (basically no) memory so you had to read in the steps each time you wanted to get a result. Fortran would have a line (with a number) Let x = whatever and then the next line, x = 3 times x (equal sign was not really an equal both sides of the sign), and so on. In order to alphabetize something, you would need a step that if the one line was greater than the next one, the computer would leave it alone. If less, move it up one line (I am doing this from a faulty memory). This would be contained in a "do loop" where the computer would be instructed to go back to a previous line and keep doing the same thing. Inside the loop would be a command that if a certain condition was met, the computer would exit that. Woe betide anyone who got the condition wrong or put the end statement in the wrong spot, as the computer would go into an endless do-loop. With all these steps on individual punch cards, it was easy to get one out of order. First computer language that I'm aware of was the appropriate-named "Basic." Wikipedia has a BIG section on its Hidden Figures page on historical accuracy of the movie - and you can also read the book of the same title. But a documentary gets a fraction of the viewership of a good movie. (I still absolutely love the movie.)
To put the space program in perspective, I remember in 1961, John Kennedy announcing we would reach the moon by the end of that decade, 1969. From then on, various popular technical magazines like Popular Mechanics and Popular Science would lay out the incremental steps forthcoming (with tentative dates), including the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. As a teenager, I ached thinking these dates would NEVER get here, they seemed so far off in the distance.
Proud Ohio born woman here, home of John Glenn and Neil Armstrong. It seems like just yesterday (2012), that I was driving to work in Cincinnati and at a red light everyone just stopped to look up at the sky. People got out of their cars to watch the USAF Thunderbirds flyby in the missing man formation to honor Neil Armstrong. I still get chills when I remember.
In late August of 1969. We decided to go to Florida for our family vacation. Cape Kennedy (Cape Canaveral ) and Disney World was still pretty brand new. We bought a replica of the plastic"Waving American Flag" like the one they planted on the moon the month before. Who would have thought that such an insignificant creation would start the most anti-American accomplishment of the time. CAN WE? Yes we can !! Will WE? Yes we will !!! DID WE ? Yes we did!!! That is the American Way.
Great movie, enjoyed watching along. You guys mentioned Wernher von Braun, smart that you know who he was! My mom was one of his secretaries at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL. She never told me much about it other than she did a lot of typing, mainly documents and letters that he dictated and it was always classified as top secret.
I really enjoy this podcast. I would like to recommend a few other historical movies based on true events. #1 GLORY #2 REMEMBER THE TITANS #3 ROSEWOOD #4 AMERICAN GANGSTER #5 UNSTOPPABLE #6 MALCOLM X #7 MISSISSIPPI BURNING #8 GHOST OF MISSISSIPPI #9 42 #10 The Tuskegee Airmen
This is one of my absolute favorite movies! I can't believe that Taraji was not nominated for an Oscar! Thanks for the reaction.
She definitely should have been. You're welcome!
Absolutely love this movie - grew up during the space race from its earliest day and pissed the contributions of such incredible people like these three women where completely . . . well, hidden. Looking forward to your reactions and will be tearing up at all the happy moments once again.
PS - although the movie IS based on true events, they had to shift stuff around to make a coherent storyline. The three women barely know each other, if at all, definitely not close friends. They also didn't work at exactly the same years. Also, Kathrine did NOT have a problem with the rest room issue. She just used the ladies room in the main building and not one complained, but it was a problem for Mary Jackson.
The story takes place at Langley, VA (near DC), although the rockets were launched at Cape Canaveral. The Houston space center was set up in 1961. Florida was chosen for the launch site because the closer to the equator, the faster the actual speed of the earth is at that point, thus requiring a bit less speed of the rocket itself - and Florida kept it within the US borders.
Fortran is short for "formula translation" (Cobol was "common business-oriented language"). Computers didn't have much (basically no) memory so you had to read in the steps each time you wanted to get a result. Fortran would have a line (with a number) Let x = whatever and then the next line, x = 3 times x (equal sign was not really an equal both sides of the sign), and so on. In order to alphabetize something, you would need a step that if the one line was greater than the next one, the computer would leave it alone. If less, move it up one line (I am doing this from a faulty memory). This would be contained in a "do loop" where the computer would be instructed to go back to a previous line and keep doing the same thing. Inside the loop would be a command that if a certain condition was met, the computer would exit that. Woe betide anyone who got the condition wrong or put the end statement in the wrong spot, as the computer would go into an endless do-loop. With all these steps on individual punch cards, it was easy to get one out of order.
First computer language that I'm aware of was the appropriate-named "Basic."
Wikipedia has a BIG section on its Hidden Figures page on historical accuracy of the movie - and you can also read the book of the same title. But a documentary gets a fraction of the viewership of a good movie. (I still absolutely love the movie.)
@@johnnehrich9601 that must have been a very interesting time to grow up! Thanks for watching with us! 🙌
To put the space program in perspective, I remember in 1961, John Kennedy announcing we would reach the moon by the end of that decade, 1969. From then on, various popular technical magazines like Popular Mechanics and Popular Science would lay out the incremental steps forthcoming (with tentative dates), including the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. As a teenager, I ached thinking these dates would NEVER get here, they seemed so far off in the distance.
Proud Ohio born woman here, home of John Glenn and Neil Armstrong. It seems like just yesterday (2012), that I was driving to work in Cincinnati and at a red light everyone just stopped to look up at the sky. People got out of their cars to watch the USAF Thunderbirds flyby in the missing man formation to honor Neil Armstrong. I still get chills when I remember.
@@underwriter53 wow! That must’ve been quite a sight to see!
In late August of 1969. We decided to go to Florida for our family vacation. Cape Kennedy (Cape Canaveral ) and Disney World was still pretty brand new. We bought a replica of the plastic"Waving American Flag" like the one they planted on the moon the month before. Who would have thought that such an insignificant creation would start the most anti-American accomplishment of the time. CAN WE? Yes we can !! Will WE? Yes we will !!! DID WE ? Yes we did!!! That is the American Way.
Awesome story, thanks for sharing!
'He's always eating' 🤣🤣🤣
Haha I’m telling you!
Great movie, enjoyed watching along. You guys mentioned Wernher von Braun, smart that you know who he was! My mom was one of his secretaries at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL. She never told me much about it other than she did a lot of typing, mainly documents and letters that he dictated and it was always classified as top secret.
@@PSPguy2 glad you enjoyed it! We are space enthusiasts. Wow, that’s still quite cool nonetheless!
NASA is headquartered in Washington, DC.
They launch the rockets from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Ah right thanks for the info!
If you love space movies, please react to The Martian with Matt Damon!! Excellent movie!!!
will add it to the list!
That “60s” design esthetic that y’all like is called Mid-Century Modern (for future reference).
@@TrueLibraGirl got it! Thanks for letting us know
I really enjoy this podcast. I would like to recommend a few other historical movies based on true events. #1 GLORY #2 REMEMBER THE TITANS #3 ROSEWOOD #4 AMERICAN GANGSTER #5 UNSTOPPABLE #6 MALCOLM X #7 MISSISSIPPI BURNING #8 GHOST OF MISSISSIPPI #9 42 #10 The Tuskegee Airmen
@@jamesgreenhow108 appreciate the kind words! We will add them to the list
Yes the original computers were people. The machines came after.