Helping Build the Internet: Valerie Thomas | Great Minds

The video highlights the life and career of Thomas, a pioneering black female computer programmer. Despite societal challenges, she excelled in tech, contributing significantly to NASA's Landsat program, which revolutionized Earth science. She invented the Illusion transmitter, a precursor to 3D technology, and played a crucial role in developing SPAN, a precursor to the Internet. Her work has had a lasting impact on technology and science.

What was one of the major contributions of Thomas during her early career at NASA?

• Designing the first space shuttle

• Inventing the smartphone

• Creating software to decode satellite data

• Developing the first personal computer

What unique property of concave mirrors did Thomas explore?

• They can magnify sound waves

• They can only reflect light in one direction

• They can produce images that appear in front of the mirror

• They can produce images that appear behind the mirror

What was the purpose of the Illusion Transmitter invented by Thomas?

• To develop virtual reality headsets

• To enhance satellite communication

• To improve radio signals

• To create 3D television

What was the Space Physics Analysis Network (SPAN) developed by Thomas's team?

• A global weather forecasting system

• A space exploration program

• A satellite navigation system

• A mini version of the Internet for scientists

How did Thomas's work with SPAN impact the scientific community?

• It was used exclusively for military purposes

• It allowed real-time global collaboration

• It limited communication to local networks

• It replaced traditional postal services