Shortform Books

How Did Women Contribute to the War Effort at NASA?

How did women contribute to the war effort during World War II? What role did NASA play in these efforts? NASA, then known as NACA, was responsible for science and technology that helped build planes and other machinery. The work had real-life, high-stakes implications. It was also an opportunity. You probably know that women were a huge part of the war effort during World War II. But how did women contribute to the war effort at NACA? Keep reading to find out.

NASA Human Computers: The Unsung Heroes of the Space Age

What were NASA human computers, and what were they used for? And who were the women who worked as black computers in the famed West Computing Group? In its earlier days, NASA (then NACA) employed an army of people, typically women, to work as NASA human computers. Amongst these people were the black computers who are the focus of the book Hidden Figures. Find out what they did, and how they changed NASA forever.

Bryan Burkhart: How an Osage Murderer Got Immunity

Who was Bryan Burkhart? What role did he play in the Osage murders? Bryan Burkhart was the brother of Ernest Burkhart, a white man who was married to an Osage woman named Mollie. Ernest and other family members, including Bryan, plotted to kill Mollie’s family members (including Mollie herself) so that they could take control of her money. Continue reading to learn about Bryan Burkhart and his involvement in the Osage murder conspiracy.

Osage Oil’s Bloody History: Theft, Violence, & Murder

Who profited from the drilling of oil in Osage County, Oklahoma? How did it impact the lives of the people who lived there? The oil discovered on the land of the Osage tribe in Oklahoma provided them with life-changing wealth. Sadly, not all of the change was good, as their prosperity put a target on their backs. Keep reading to learn the bloody history of Osage oil.

Law of Attraction Techniques: 4 Steps to Happiness

Once you understand the Law of Attraction, you may be wondering about certain Law of Attraction techniques. Are there ways to improve upon using the Law of Attraction? These Law of Attraction techniques focus on making you more aware of your feelings and thoughts. You can practice using the Law of Attraction anytime, by focusing your feelings and your thoughts. The choice is yours, and the Law of Attraction is always here for you.

John Glenn + Katherine Johnson—His Life Depended on Her Math

Who was John Glenn in Hidden Figures? What did John Glenn, Katherine Johnson, and the other human computers have to do with space travel? John Glenn, Katherine Johnson, and their team, called the Space Task Group, helped launch Glenn into space, making him the first man to orbit the Earth.

Dawn of the Space Race: How Sputnik Ignited an American Crisis

What started the Space Race? What did it have to do with the Cold War, and was Sputnik really the beginning? Many consider the launch of Sputnik by the Soviets to be the official beginning of the Space Race. The Space Race was defined by the race to the moon between the United State and the Soviet Union. Many people worked towards the goals of the Space Race at NASA, including Hidden Figures character Katherine Johnson.

Act As If: How Confidence Makes Dreams Come True

What does it mean to act as if? Can the practice of learning how to act as if help you work on manifestation, and using the Law of Attraction? To act as if means to act as though you’ve already achieved the things you want, and been granted your wishes by the universe. This technique uses the power of positivity to ensure you’re emitting positive energy, and get good things in return. Read more about the “act as if” technique below.

Christine Darden: From NASA “Hidden Figure” to Top Engineer

Who is Dr. Christine Darden in Hidden Figures? How did Christine Darden fight her way into NASA following in the footsteps of people like Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Dorothy Vaughan? Dr. Christine Mann Darden is an American aeronautical engineer. She was a pioneer at NASA as one of the leaders of the Sonic Boom Group. Dr. Christine Darden’s Hidden Figures role shows that the hard work of the women like Jackson, Johnson, and Vaughan paid off for future generals. Christine Darden’s NASA career was made possible by dismantling segregation, and all the women who worked hard to achieve that

NASA Segregation: How One Group of Women Challenged the Norm

What can NASA segregation tell us about the rest of the country during the Civil Rights Movement? What can we learn from Hidden Figures segregation and the fight for equality? NASA segregation reflected the segregation of the rest of the country. But when the president ordered NASA (then NACA) to tap into the large workforce they were ignoring, women like Dorothy Vaughan and Katherine Johnson got the chance to prove themselves. Read how the women of Hidden Figures helped end segregation in NASA.