1960s NASA before PowerPoint and using ladders to do math - photos

I like these 1960s NASA photos, variously labeled as "NASA before PowerPoint" on the net. Not sure if they were promo pics, or if this was a standard day in the life of a NASA employee in the '60s. Anyway, you know someone's not messing around when they're using a ladder to do math!

https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/h...halkboard1.jpg

https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/h...halkboard2.jpg

https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/h...halkboard3.jpg

Previously:

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...301#post126898
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...493#post110756
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...3368#post98869
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...2502#post96471
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...3020#post97850
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...2755#post97064

It appears that, given the semi-major axis and eccentricity of an orbit, they're trying to construct the Hamiltonian and then differentiate that to obtain the equations of motion of the orbiter.

Why they need to do this on a billboard-sized blackboard is beyond me but I'm sure it's some sort of publicity stunt. I would use the portmanteau "matheater" to describe their efforts.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mklotz

It appears that, given the semi-major axis and eccentricity of an orbit, they're trying to construct the Hamiltonian and then differentiate that to obtain the equations of motion of the orbiter.

Why they need to do this on a billboard-sized blackboard is beyond me but I'm sure it's some sort of publicity stunt. I would use the portmanteau "matheater" to describe their efforts.

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NASA before PowerPoint. Also; only known instances of employees in bow ties, argyle socks, wingtips, Windsor neckties, pocket protectors and two piece suits ascending ladders.

Marv's got more math than I! Math-theatre, lol.
I'd joke they're intent on a life size rendition.
Or this depicts work of first stage design team. . .second and third borrow 40' extension ladders of the window washers.

A group of children, marveled during performance, the endurance of ballerinas on their toes. Invited back stage after ballet, the very first question was "Why don't they get taller girls?"