What is GPS?
What do you think of when you hear the acronym GPS? It probably helps you navigate to a location while on a walk or drive. Maybe it helps you locate an item, such as luggage or a pet, that has a tag attached to it. Perhaps it lets you visit a place depicted in a digital photo thanks to geotagging technology. All of these are true, but they don’t even scratch the surface of the potential uses of GPS technology.
GPS, short for Global Positioning System, is a tool that helps users locate, navigate, track, map, and more. Applications of this technology are expansive—in fact, we use GPS everyday whether done so intentionally or not. Beyond the aforementioned examples, GPS is utilized to keep updated geographic data, allows Emergency Services to connect with individuals in crisis situations faster, supports a myriad of ongoing research efforts, informs you when a package will be delivered, assists construction and agricultural endeavors, improves military operation outcomes, etc. It even helps us keep track of the precise time! Suffice it to say, GPS is ubiquitous.
Who is Dr. Gladys West?
Dr. Gladys West (née Brown), in collaboration with a team of scientists and mathematicians, is credited with doing the mathematics that helped support the invention of GPS. Nevertheless, before Dr. West ever stepped foot on the grounds of the Dahlgren base, the place she worked while computing algorithms for the GPS, her record of accomplishments was astonishing:
● While growing up in rural Dinwiddie County, Virginia, Dr. West did everything possible to achieve her dream of one day living in a city. She knew she was destined for greatness, and she never wavered in her determination to succeed. From an early age, she was sure to excel in all possible endeavors, especially academically.
● As a result of her strong academic background, she graduated second in her class. Achieving salutatorian status meant she would be awarded a tuition-free scholarship to attend Virginia State College (now University).
● Upon graduating with a B.S. in mathematics, Dr. West transitioned into the workforce as a teacher in Sussex County. This opportunity, challenging but inspiring, galvanized her to acquire a masters degree in mathematics.
● Now with a B.S. and M.S. degree attached to her name, Dr. West was once again searching for employment opportunities. Her application process to Dahlgren was not very typical: after applying, she was granted an interview but turned it down, citing a variety of factors that influenced this decision. Dr. West couldn’t locate Dahlgren on the map, she didn’t have access to a car, she was not sure where she would live, and most importantly, she was worried that if she did show up, the interviewers would reject her because of the color of her skin. Nonetheless, after a few days had passed, she received notice that she was selected for the position, despite not interviewing!
For more information about the museum’s permanent collections and special events, go to www.dahlgrenmuseum.org.
