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The article discusses the work of the Philadelphia Computing Section (PCS) of the University of Pennsylvania, a group of women who did mathematical work in support of the U.S. military during World War II. These women essentially acted as human computers who calculated trajectories and other figures...

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Published in:American Heritage Vol. 61; no. 2; pp. 50 - 58
Main Author: Wolverton, Mark
Format: Article
Published: AHMC Inc. Summer/Fall2011
Subjects:
Women in war
World War II
War work
Mental calculators
Weapons systems
Women mathematicians
History of computers
Trajectories (Mechanics)
United States
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
Summary:The article discusses the work of the Philadelphia Computing Section (PCS) of the University of Pennsylvania, a group of women who did mathematical work in support of the U.S. military during World War II. These women essentially acted as human computers who calculated trajectories and other figures to be used by advanced weapons systems such as bomber planes and howitzer guns. Many of these women were also involved in creating the first electronic computer.