the memory palace Episode 60 (400,000 Stars)
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Mar 23, 2014 Dive into the captivating tale of an aging observatory as the new director battles apathy among students while trying to revive its illustrious past. Discover the unsung heroism of Williamina Fleming and her fellow women mathematicians who, despite facing unjust dismissals, played crucial roles in advancing astronomy. Their painstaking calculations transformed the field, shining a light on the intersection of gender and science.
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Pickering's Frustration
- Edward Pickering, director of the Harvard Observatory, was frustrated with his male assistants' poor work.
- He believed his maid could do better, so he hired her.
Pickering's Harem
- Williamina Fleming, initially Pickering’s maid, became his best assistant at the observatory for 25 cents an hour.
- Pickering hired other women, forming a group known as "Pickering's harem."
Data-Driven Astronomy
- Pickering realized that the future of astronomy was in data analysis, not just observation.
- This insight led him to value the women's meticulous work with numbers.