The Wisconsin Underground Railroad

Wisconsin, History, People /

Venture into the world of the Underground Railroad in Wisconsin, where secrets and bravery converged to aid African American slaves in their quest for freedom in the 19th century. This treacherous and clandestine route, comprised of a network of cryptic passages and safe havens, played a significant role in the abolitionist movement, and Wisconsin is steeped in its legacy. Uncover the rich history of this pivotal moment in time with a closer examination of some of the most remarkable Underground Railroad sites in the state, and embark on a journey to experience it for yourself. Milton House The Wisconsin Historical Society: Guardian of Wisconsin’s Legacy The Wisconsin Historical Society, the state’s paramount entity in preserving and disseminating the history of Wisconsin, doubles as a treasure trove of information for those curious about the Underground Railroad. Boasting several museums across the state, the society sheds light on Wisconsin’s opulent cultural heritage through exhibitions, including the Wisconsin Historical Museum in Madison. In addition to its museums, the society houses an extensive collection of records and artifacts related to the Underground Railroad, such as letters, maps, and first-hand accounts from individuals who played a role in the movement. Each of these sites provides a singular viewpoint into the lives of those who escaped slavery and the heroes who helped them. Some of the most prominent sites include: So, why not learn the history of the Underground Railroad in Wisconsin for yourself?

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Katherine Johnson: A Pioneering African American Mathematician

History, People, Science, Space /

Katherine Johnson was a pioneering African American mathematician who made critical contributions to America’s space program during the 20th century. Her work laid the foundation for the successful manned missions to the moon and beyond. Despite facing numerous obstacles as a woman and an African American in a field dominated by white males, Katherine Johnson broke down barriers and paved the way for future generations of women and people of color in STEM. Early Life and Education Katherine Johnson was born on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. She showed a remarkable aptitude for mathematics from a young age and was one of three African American students selected to integrate West Virginia’s graduate schools in the late 1930s. Katherine Johnson received her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and French from West Virginia State College in 1937, and later received her Master’s degree in Mathematics from West Virginia University. A Career at NASA’s Predecessor After graduating, Katherine Johnson began working as a teacher before accepting a position as a research mathematician at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the predecessor to NASA, in 1953. At NACA, Katherine Johnson worked on various projects related to aircraft performance, including the calculation of flight paths for the first manned spaceflights. Her work was critical to the success of NASA’s early missions, including the first successful manned orbital flight by astronaut John Glenn in 1962. Pioneering Contributions to America’s Space Program Katherine Johnson’s work at NASA was ground-breaking and paved the way for future generations of women and people of color in STEM. Despite facing discrimination and racism, Katherine Johnson was determined to make a difference and used her exceptional mathematical skills to solve complex problems. Her work on the Apollo 11 mission, which put the first human beings on the moon in 1969, was particularly noteworthy. She calculated the trajectory for the lunar landing, ensuring that the spacecraft would be able to safely land on the moon and return to Earth. Retirement and Legacy Katherine Johnson retired from NASA in 1986 after a long and distinguished career. Despite her many achievements, Katherine Johnson remained humble and dedicated to inspiring the next generation of mathematicians and scientists. In 2015, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, for her pioneering work in mathematics and her contributions to America’s space program. Katherine Johnson passed away on February 24, 2020, but her legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Conclusion Katherine Johnson was a pioneering African American mathematician who made critical contributions to America’s space program. Despite facing numerous obstacles as a woman and an African American in a field dominated by white males, Katherine Johnson broke down barriers and paved the way for future generations of women and people of color in STEM. Her exceptional mathematical skills, determination, and dedication to her work will continue to inspire future generations for years to come.

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Ada Lovelace: The Pioneer of Computer Programming

History, People, Software Development /

Ada Lovelace was a mathematician, writer and visionary who lived in the early 19th century. She is best known for her work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, a mechanical general-purpose computer that was never built. Lovelace wrote an algorithm intended to be processed by the Analytical Engine, and in doing so, became the first person to publish an algorithm intended for implementation on a computer. The Early Life of Ada Lovelace Ada Lovelace was born in London in 1815, the daughter of poet Lord Byron and his wife, Anne Isabella Byron. Despite her parents’ separation and Byron’s subsequent death when Ada was just eight years old, she received a strong education in mathematics and science, thanks to her mother and her tutor, Mary Somerville. Collaborating with Charles Babbage In 1833, Lovelace met Charles Babbage, the inventor of the Analytical Engine, at a dinner party. The two struck up a close friendship, and Lovelace became fascinated by Babbage’s work. She began to assist Babbage in his efforts to build the engine and even wrote a series of notes to accompany an article about the machine, which was published in an Italian scientific journal. The Birth of Computer Programming In her notes, Lovelace considered the potential of the Analytical Engine to perform tasks beyond simple calculation. She wrote that the machine could be used to create music, patterns and images, as well as to solve mathematical problems. She also wrote an algorithm, which she intended to be processed by the Analytical Engine, to generate Bernoulli numbers. This algorithm is considered to be the first published algorithm intended for implementation on a computer. Legacy of Ada Lovelace Ada Lovelace’s work was largely forgotten until the 1950s, when her notes were rediscovered and her contribution to computer science was recognized. Today, she is widely recognized as the world’s first computer programmer, and her contributions continue to inspire new generations of computer scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. In conclusion, Ada Lovelace’s visionary work on the Analytical Engine and her algorithms have made her an enduring figure in the history of computer science. Her contributions to the field have paved the way for future generations of computer programmers and paved the way for the development of modern computers and the digital age.

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Nikola Tesla: The Mastermind Behind Some of the Most Famous Inventions

History, People, Science, Technology /

Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and futurist who is best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system. Born in Smiljan, Croatia, in 1856, Tesla studied engineering and physics at the Austrian Polytechnic in Graz, Austria. After graduation, he worked as an assistant to renowned inventor and businessman Thomas Edison in the United States. Despite his early success, Tesla soon found himself at odds with Edison over the best way to generate and distribute electricity. While Edison was a strong proponent of direct current (DC) power, Tesla believed that alternating current was the future of electricity. Tesla’s vision was proven correct, and today, AC power is the standard used around the world. In addition to his contributions to the field of electricity, Tesla was also a prolific inventor, with more than 300 patents to his name. Some of his most famous inventions include the Tesla coil, a device used to produce high-voltage, high-frequency alternating currents, and the AC motor, which paved the way for the development of modern appliances and machines. The Tesla Coil: A Pioneering Device in the Field of Electricity The Tesla coil is one of Tesla’s most famous inventions. It is a resonant transformer that is used to produce high-voltage, high-frequency alternating currents. The coil consists of two parts: a primary coil and a secondary coil. The primary coil is connected to a high-frequency power source, while the secondary coil is separated from the primary coil by a large air gap. When high-frequency current is passed through the primary coil, it induces a high-voltage current in the secondary coil, which can be used for a variety of purposes, such as producing light and heat or transmitting radio waves. The Tesla coil was an important development in the field of electricity because it allowed for the production of high-frequency alternating currents, which were previously difficult to produce. This opened up new possibilities for researchers and scientists, who could now use these currents to study the behavior of materials and perform a variety of experiments. The AC Motor: The Foundation for Modern Appliances and Machines The AC motor is another one of Tesla’s most famous inventions. It is a type of electrical motor that uses alternating current to produce rotational motion. The AC motor is unique because it does not rely on commutators or brushes, which can wear out and cause problems over time. Instead, the AC motor uses the alternating current itself to produce rotational motion, making it much more reliable and durable than traditional DC motors. The AC motor paved the way for the development of a wide range of modern appliances and machines, including refrigerators, washing machines, and vacuum cleaners. It also played a key role in the development of the electric power industry, as it made it possible to transmit electricity over long distances and to generate power on a large scale. Conclusion Nikola Tesla was a visionary inventor and engineer whose contributions to the field of electricity have had a profound impact on the world. His inventions, including the Tesla coil and the AC motor, paved the way for the development of a wide range of modern appliances and machines, and helped to lay the foundation for the modern electric power industry. Today, Tesla’s legacy continues to inspire scientists and engineers around the world, and his name is synonymous with innovation and progress.

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Seymour Cray and the Rise of Supercomputing in Wisconsin

Wisconsin, History, People, Technology /

Seymour Cray was an American electrical engineer and computer architect who is widely regarded as the father of supercomputing. He revolutionized the field of high-performance computing and made significant contributions to the development of early computer systems. Cray was born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin in 1925. He started his career in the computing industry by working at Engineering Research Associates (ERA), a company that was focused on developing early computer systems for the military. After leaving ERA, Cray started his own company, Cray Research, which became a leading player in the supercomputing market. The first supercomputer developed by Cray was the Cray-1, which was released in 1976. It was a vector processing machine that was designed to perform high-speed calculations for scientific and engineering applications. The Cray-1 was a huge success, and it set the standard for future supercomputing machines. Cray’s next major contribution to the field was the Cray-2, which was released in 1985. The Cray-2 was a major departure from the earlier vector machines, and it was the first supercomputer to use a distributed memory architecture. This architecture allowed the Cray-2 to achieve much higher levels of performance, and it was widely used for scientific and engineering simulations. Cray continued to innovate in the field of supercomputing, and his final contribution was the Cray-3, which was released in 1988. The Cray-3 was a parallel processing machine that was designed to perform large-scale simulations in real-time. It was a cutting-edge machine that set new standards for performance, and it was widely used in fields such as weather forecasting, fluid dynamics, and structural analysis. Seymour Cray passed away in 1996, but his legacy continues to live on. He was a pioneer in the field of supercomputing, and his contributions have had a profound impact on the development of modern computer systems. Today, Cray Research is a subsidiary of Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, and the company continues to develop high-performance computing solutions for a wide range of applications. The Importance of Supercomputing Supercomputing is a critical tool in many scientific and engineering fields, and it has had a profound impact on the advancement of human knowledge. With supercomputing, scientists and engineers can perform simulations and simulations that would be impossible to carry out on conventional computers. This has allowed researchers to make breakthroughs in fields such as weather forecasting, climate modeling, and molecular dynamics. Supercomputing is also a critical tool in many industries, including finance, defense, and energy. For example, financial institutions use supercomputing to model complex financial instruments and to perform risk analysis. In the defense sector, supercomputing is used for simulations of weapons systems and for intelligence analysis. In the energy sector, supercomputing is used for the simulation of oil and gas reservoirs and for the design of renewable energy systems. The Future of Supercomputing The field of supercomputing is constantly evolving, and new technologies are being developed that will continue to push the boundaries of performance. For example, quantum computing is a new technology that has the potential to revolutionize the field of supercomputing. With quantum computing, researchers will be able to perform simulations and simulations that are currently impossible, and they will be able to make new breakthroughs in a wide range of fields. The future of supercomputing is also likely to be shaped by advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). With these technologies, supercomputing systems will be able to perform complex simulations.

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Revealing what was once hidden: The Black Women Groundbreakers in NASA

History, People, Science, Space /

NASA has a long and rich history of diversity, with numerous groundbreaking achievements by Black women who have made significant contributions to the space agency. Despite this, their stories are often hidden and untold, leaving the public with an incomplete understanding of the many brilliant individuals who have shaped the world of space exploration. This article aims to shine a light on some of these inspiring Black women groundbreakers who have made an impact in NASA. With rich and comprehensive details, this guide provides an overview of their contributions and celebrates their achievements, thereby making them “hidden no more.” Mary Jackson: Breaking Barriers as an Engineer Mary Jackson was the first African American woman to be hired as an engineer at NASA’s National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), later known as NASA. She worked on the Supersonic Pressure Tunnel, a powerful wind tunnel that simulated flight at high speeds, helping researchers understand the behavior of aircraft and their components at supersonic speeds. Jackson’s work paved the way for other women and minorities to enter the field of engineering at NASA. Despite the challenges she faced as a Black woman in a predominantly white, male-dominated industry, she persevered and became a role model for future generations of scientists and engineers. Katherine Johnson: A Pioneer in Computer Science Katherine Johnson was a pioneer in computer science and a trailblazer for Black women in the field. She played a critical role in calculating the flight paths of spacecraft, including the Apollo missions that sent astronauts to the moon. Her work was critical to the success of these missions and was instrumental in making space exploration possible. Johnson’s expertise and attention to detail made her a valued member of the NASA team. She received numerous awards for her work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations of computer scientists and space enthusiasts. Dorothy Vaughan: A Leader in Computers and Mathematics Dorothy Vaughan was a leader in the field of computers and mathematics and made significant contributions to NASA’s early space program. She was the first African American woman to be promoted to a supervisor position at the agency, leading a team of mathematicians and computers in the preparation of calculations for flight missions. Vaughan’s expertise and leadership skills helped pave the way for other Black women to enter the field of mathematics and computer science at NASA. Her work helped lay the foundation for the success of future space missions, and her contributions continue to be celebrated as a testament to the impact that Black women can make in the field of science and technology. Conclusion: Celebrating the Contributions of Black Women Groundbreakers in NASA Black women have played an instrumental role in the history of NASA and space exploration, making significant contributions in fields such as engineering, computer science, and mathematics. Despite their achievements, their stories are often untold and hidden from the public. This article aims to celebrate their achievements and make their contributions “hidden no more.” Their legacy continues to inspire future generations of scientists, engineers, and space enthusiasts and serves as a reminder of the impact that Black women can have in the field of science and technology. It is essential that we continue to tell their stories, so that the world can better understand the rich history and diverse perspectives that have shaped the field of space exploration.

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Women Inventors Who Changed the World

History, People, Science /

Throughout history, women have made significant contributions to science and technology. In a world dominated by male inventors, these women have challenged stereotypes and paved the way for future generations. Here, we highlight ten female inventors who have changed our lives and made a lasting impact on the world. Marie Curie Marie Curie was a Polish-born physicist and chemist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911. She was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize and the first person to receive two Nobel Prizes in different fields. Curie’s work on radioactivity led to the discovery of radium and polonium, and her research revolutionized the field of nuclear physics. She remains one of the most influential scientists of all time. Grace Hopper Grace Hopper was an American computer scientist and United States Navy rear admiral. She was one of the first programmers of the Harvard Mark I computer and co-developed the first compiler, a software that translates code into machine language. Hopper also invented the first computer bug, which she found in 1947 when a moth became trapped in a relay. She is credited with popularizing the term “debugging.” Hedy Lamarr Hedy Lamarr was an Austrian-born actress and inventor. She is best known for her work as an actress in the 1930s and 1940s, but she also made important contributions to the field of telecommunications. Lamarr and composer George Antheil developed a frequency-hopping system that is the basis for modern wireless communication technology, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Chien-Shiung Wu Chien-Shiung Wu was a Chinese-American physicist who made significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics. She was known as the “First Lady of Physics” and was a key member of the Manhattan Project, which developed the first nuclear weapons. Wu’s work on the conservation of parity, which she demonstrated experimentally, was a major contribution to the development of the theory of weak interaction, which plays a crucial role in our understanding of particle physics. Mildred Dresselhaus Mildred Dresselhaus was an American physicist and electrical engineer who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of condensed matter physics. She was known as the “Queen of Carbon Science” and her research on graphite and other materials laid the foundation for the development of nanotechnology. Dresselhaus received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the National Medal of Science in 1988 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014. Shirley Jackson Shirley Jackson was an American physicist and mathematician who made important contributions to the field of telecommunications. She was the first African American woman to earn a PhD in physics from MIT and went on to become the first female president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Jackson’s research focused on the behavior of electrons in semiconductors and her work paved the way for the development of new technologies, including cell phones and solar cells. Gertrude Elion Gertrude Elion was an American biochemist and pharmacologist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1988. Elion developed numerous new drugs and treatments, including the first treatment for leukemia, the first antiviral drug, and the first immunosuppressive drug for organ transplantation. Her work revolutionized the field of pharmaceuticals and has helped to save countless lives. Ada Lovelace Ada Lovelace was an English mathematician and writer who is widely considered to be the first computer programmer. She worked closely with Charles Babbage on his Analytical Engine, an early mechanical general-purpose computer, and wrote an algorithm for the machine that was intended to generate Bernoulli numbers. Lovelace’s work was revolutionary for her time and her ideas about the potential of computers to do more than just perform calculations laid the foundation for the development of modern computing. Rosalind Franklin Rosalind Franklin was a British chemist and X-ray crystallographer who made critical contributions to the understanding of the structure of DNA. Her work, including the famous “Photo 51” image, was essential to the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA by Watson and Crick. Despite being largely overlooked at the time, Franklin’s work has since been recognized as a major contribution to the field of molecular biology. These ten female inventors have made lasting contributions to the fields of science and technology and have inspired future generations of women to pursue careers in these fields. Their work has changed our lives in profound ways and will continue to shape the world for generations to come.

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African American Inventors: Pioneers of Innovation

People, History, Technology /

Elijah McCoy: The Real McCoy One of the most famous African American inventors is Elijah McCoy, who was born in 1844 in Colchester, Ontario, Canada. McCoy is known for his groundbreaking work in lubrication technology, which revolutionized the steam engine and other heavy machinery. His invention, the “automatic lubricator,” allowed machines to be lubricated without the need for manual intervention, making them more efficient and reducing downtime. Garrett A. Morgan: Traffic Safety Innovator Another important African American inventor is Garrett A. Morgan, who was born in 1877 in Paris, Kentucky. Morgan is best known for his traffic signal, which was patented in 1923 and remains in use today. He also created a breathing device for underwater divers, which became the precursor to modern-day diving equipment. Jan Ernst Matzeliger: Revolutionizing the Shoe Industry Jan Ernst Matzeliger was born in Paramaribo, Suriname in 1852 and immigrated to the United States in the 1870s. Matzeliger is most famous for his invention of a machine that increased the speed of shoe production, reducing the time it took to produce a single pair of shoes from hours to minutes. This was a major turning point in the shoe industry and paved the way for mass production of footwear. Lewis Latimer: Lighting the Way Lewis Latimer, born in 1848 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, was an inventor and draftsman who is best known for his contributions to the development of the electric light bulb. He worked alongside Thomas Edison and helped to improve the design of the bulb, making it more durable and practical for use in homes and businesses. The Legacy of African American Inventors These are just a few of the many African American inventors who have made an impact on the world. Their contributions to society have improved our lives in countless ways and have paved the way for future generations to continue innovating and making a positive impact on the world. Their legacy serves as a source of inspiration for all of us and serves as a reminder of the power of determination, hard work, and creativity. By highlighting the achievements of these pioneers of innovation, we can honor their legacy and continue to strive for excellence in all areas of life. Whether it’s through developing new technologies or creating new solutions to problems, the legacy of African American inventors serves as a reminder of the limitless potential of the human spirit.

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