The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source

The team that fashioned Apollo 11 (Interview)

Oct 8, 2020
Discover the untold story behind the Apollo 11 spacesuits and the extraordinary team of seamstresses and engineers who made them a reality. Delve into the personal experiences of women in a male-dominated field, blending craftsmanship with groundbreaking science. Hear tales of teamwork and innovation that pushed the boundaries of what was possible for space exploration. From overcoming gender bias to the emotional weight of witnessing the moon landing, this dialogue highlights the unsung contributions that shaped one of humanity's greatest achievements.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Joanne's Moon Dream

  • Joanne Thompson dreamt of walking on the moon, questioning where to place her feet.
  • Ironically, she helped make moon travel possible by sewing Apollo 11 spacesuits.
INSIGHT

High Stakes Sewing

  • The Apollo spacesuit team tackled life-or-death stakes, a novel challenge for the seamstresses.
  • This occurred during a time when women's voices were often marginalized.
ANECDOTE

Unexpected Opportunity

  • Joanne Thompson's babysitter invited her to ILC's hiring event for spacesuit seamstresses.
  • Unaware of the project, Joanne took the test, passed, and left her dress factory job.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app