b. 1930
Gladys West
United StatesCommunicationsInfrastructure
Background
An American mathematician who worked at the U.S. Naval base at Dahlgren.
Contribution
Programmed detailed mathematical models of the Earth's shape (the geoid) that improved the accuracy underlying satellite geolocation and GPS.
Popular credit vs. the record
West's contribution was recognized only decades later; GPS is an organization-led effort of many contributors.
Associated inventions
Collaborators & contemporaries
Associated organizations
Sources & further reading
Each citation names the publisher and the exact reference title.
- GPS.gov — official U.S. government information about the Global Positioning SystemU.S. Space Force / GPS.gov · Government / archive
Direct source link pending editorial verification.