# Mathematical Tables Project

> mathematical project of the Works Progress Administration in the United States

**Wikidata**: [Q6786846](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6786846)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematical_Tables_Project)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mathematical-tables-project

## Summary
The Mathematical Tables Project was a research institute and mathematical project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the United States. Established in 1938 in New York City, it focused on the production of mathematical tables and operated for a decade until its dissolution in 1948.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Research institute and architectural structure.
- **Parent Organization:** Works Progress Administration (WPA).
- **Inception:** 1938.
- **Dissolution:** 1948.
- **Location:** New York City, United States.
- **Key Leadership:** Gertrude Blanch (Director/Manager) and Arnold N. Lowan (Administrative Manager).
- **Notable Staff:** Mathematician and computer scientist Ida Rhodes.
- **Identifiers:** VIAF ID 135146765 and Library of Congress Authority ID no89007923.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of the Mathematical Tables Project?
A: It was a research institute established as a project of the Works Progress Administration to conduct mathematical research and produce mathematical tables. It operated as a specialized scientific organization within the United States government's public works framework.

### Q: Who were the key figures involved in the project?
A: The project was led by Gertrude Blanch, a prominent American mathematician, and Arnold N. Lowan, who managed the administrative aspects. Other notable members included the mathematician and computer scientist Ida Rhodes.

### Q: How long did the Mathematical Tables Project exist?
A: The project was founded in 1938 and remained active for ten years. It was officially dissolved in 1948.

## Why It Matters
The Mathematical Tables Project represents a significant intersection of government-funded labor and scientific research during the mid-20th century. As a project of the Works Progress Administration, it utilized mathematical expertise to produce essential data tables before the widespread availability of electronic computers. The involvement of pioneering figures like Gertrude Blanch and Ida Rhodes highlights the project's role in the history of mathematics and early computer science in the United States. 

By centralizing research in New York City, it functioned as a specialized research institute that contributed to the country's scientific infrastructure for a decade. The project is a key example of how public works initiatives were applied to high-level scientific research, bridging the gap between economic relief and academic advancement. Its legacy is preserved through the contributions of its staff to the burgeoning field of computer science and its extensive cataloging in international library and research databases.

## Notable For
- **WPA Affiliation:** It was a major mathematical initiative under the United States Works Progress Administration.
- **Pioneering Leadership:** Directed by Gertrude Blanch, a significant American mathematician and computer scientist.
- **Institutional Longevity:** Operated as a dedicated research institute for exactly ten years, from 1938 to 1948.
- **Diverse Expertise:** Employed notable mathematicians such as Ida Rhodes, whose career spanned both the Russian Empire and the United States.

## Body

### Origins and Administration
The Mathematical Tables Project was founded in 1938 as an initiative of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the United States. It was headquartered in New York City and functioned as a research institute. The project's administrative leadership included Arnold N. Lowan, while Gertrude Blanch served as a primary director and manager.

### Key Personnel
The project was staffed by several notable mathematicians and computer scientists:
- **Gertrude Blanch:** An American mathematician (1897–1996) who held United States citizenship from 1921. She was a central figure in the project's management and is recognized as both a mathematician and computer scientist.
- **Ida Rhodes:** A mathematician and computer scientist born in 1900. Her career involved work in both the Russian Empire and the United States.
- **Arnold N. Lowan:** Served in an administrative management capacity for the project.

### Timeline and Dissolution
The project maintained active operations for a decade. Following its inception in 1938, it contributed to the field of mathematical research until its formal dissolution in 1948.

### Classification and Identification
The entity is classified both as a research institute and an architectural structure. It is recognized globally through various authority records, including:
- **VIAF ID:** 135146765
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** no89007923
- **Yale LUX ID:** group/15bf701c-9ad5-4e0c-a9c7-031700906998
- **Freebase ID:** /m/02gl16