Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures
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Name	Hidden Figures
Director	Theodore Melfi

Hidden Figures is a 2016 American biographical drama film directed by Theodore Melfi and written by Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi, based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly. The film stars Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson, Octavia Spencer as Dorothy Vaughan, and Janelle Monáe as Mary Jackson, and follows their careers at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The film also features Kevin Costner as Al Harrison, Kirsten Dunst as Vivian Mitchell, and Mahershala Ali as Jim Johnson, and highlights the contributions of these women to the success of the Apollo 11 mission and the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Introduction

The film Hidden Figures is based on the true stories of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, three African-American women who worked at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and later at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the early years of the Space Race. The film highlights their struggles and achievements as they worked to overcome the challenges of racism and sexism in the workplace, and their contributions to the success of the Apollo 11 mission and the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission, which launched John Glenn into orbit around the Earth. The film also features appearances by NASA astronauts John Glenn and Alan Shepard, and NASA engineers Christopher C. Kraft Jr. and Gene Kranz. The film's success can be attributed to the performances of its cast, including Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, who were all nominated for Screen Actors Guild Awards for their performances.

Background

The story of Hidden Figures is set against the backdrop of the Cold War and the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The film takes place in the early 1960s, a time of great social change in the United States, with the Civil Rights Movement gaining momentum and the Feminist Movement beginning to take shape. The film highlights the challenges faced by African-American women in the workplace, including racism, sexism, and limited opportunities for advancement, as they worked to overcome the obstacles and achieve their goals. The film also features appearances by notable figures of the time, including President John F. Kennedy, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, and Martin Luther King Jr., and highlights the importance of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in the Space Race. The film's portrayal of the Space Race is accurate, with references to the Soviet Union's Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2 satellites, and the United States' Explorer 1 satellite.

The Women of NASA

The film Hidden Figures tells the story of three African-American women who worked at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and later at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Katherine Johnson was a mathematician who worked on the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission, which launched John Glenn into orbit around the Earth. Dorothy Vaughan was a mathematician and supervisor who worked on the Scout rocket project, and Mary Jackson was an engineer who worked on the Supersonic Pressure Tunnel. The film highlights their contributions to the success of the Apollo 11 mission and the Space Race, and their struggles to overcome the challenges of racism and sexism in the workplace. The film also features appearances by other notable women of NASA, including Sally Ride, Mae Jemison, and Valentina Tereshkova, and highlights the importance of women in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The film's portrayal of the women of NASA is accurate, with references to the NASA Johnson Space Center and the NASA Langley Research Center.

Mathematical Contributions

The film Hidden Figures highlights the mathematical contributions of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson to the success of the Apollo 11 mission and the Space Race. Katherine Johnson's calculations were critical to the success of the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission, which launched John Glenn into orbit around the Earth. Dorothy Vaughan's work on the Scout rocket project helped to establish the Scout rocket as a reliable launch vehicle, and Mary Jackson's work on the Supersonic Pressure Tunnel helped to improve the design of NASA's spacecraft. The film also features appearances by notable mathematicians and scientists, including Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, and Marie Curie, and highlights the importance of mathematics and science in the Space Race. The film's portrayal of the mathematical contributions of the women of NASA is accurate, with references to the NASA Mathematical Sciences Division and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Legacy and Impact

The film Hidden Figures has had a significant impact on the public's perception of the contributions of African-American women to the Space Race and the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The film has inspired a new generation of women and girls to pursue careers in STEM fields, and has highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The film has also sparked a renewed interest in the history of the Space Race and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), with many people learning about the contributions of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson for the first time. The film's success has also led to the creation of new initiatives and programs to promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, including the NASA STEM Resources program and the National Science Foundation's ADVANCE program. The film's portrayal of the legacy and impact of the women of NASA is accurate, with references to the NASA Diversity and Inclusion program and the White House's Computer Science for All initiative.

Adaptations and Depictions

The film Hidden Figures is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly, which tells the story of the African-American women who worked at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and later at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the early years of the Space Race. The film has been adapted into a Young Adult novel by Margot Lee Shetterly, and has been featured in several documentaries, including The Real Story of Hidden Figures and Hidden Figures: The Untold True Story. The film's success has also led to the creation of new adaptations and depictions of the story, including a Broadway musical and a Netflix series. The film's portrayal of the adaptations and depictions of the story is accurate, with references to the Tony Awards and the Emmy Awards. Category:Films about NASA