Using IBM systems, supervised the mathematical basis for implosion simulations at Los Alamos

After receiving a degree in Mathematics in 1939, Livesay went to Philadelphia to complete a training course in operating and programming IBM electric calculating machines. For six months, with the help of an assistant, Livesay designed and implemented plug-board programs, punched cards, and carried cards over from one machine to another. With this training in hand, Livesay arrived at Los Alamos in February 1944. She was assigned to work with a theoretical group calculating the predicted shock wave from an implosion-type bomb. Since this group would be using IBM machines, Livesay was well qualified. Her position involved supervising the crew that kept the IBM machines running 24 hours a day, as well as performing hand calculations to check for any errors made by the machines.

Category:
Mathematics

Completion Status:
yes

Patent Number:
N/A