Gladys Mae West, the pioneering mathematician whose work was foundational to the development of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, died at the age of 95. West, an African American woman, navigated significant obstacles to contribute to the technology that is now ubiquitous in navigation, mapping, and countless other applications.

West's work involved complex calculations and programming that helped to model the shape of the Earth, a critical component in the accuracy of GPS. Her contributions were part of a larger effort by women during the mid-20th century who propelled the Cold War technology boom in the United States. She programmed some of the most powerful computers of the time, pushing the boundaries of computation and communication.

Born into a farming family in rural Virginia, West demonstrated academic excellence from an early age. Despite facing the limitations imposed by Jim Crow laws, which restricted Black children's access to well-funded schools, she secured a scholarship to Virginia State College, now Virginia State University, a historically Black college. There, she excelled in mathematics, earning her master's degree in 1955.

Driven by a desire for professional opportunities, West accepted a position at a research and development center. Her work there focused on analyzing satellite data to refine the understanding of Earth's geoid, the true physical figure of the Earth, which is essential for accurate GPS positioning. This involved developing algorithms and writing code to account for variations in gravity, tides, and other factors that affect satellite orbits and signal propagation.

GPS technology, initially developed for military applications, has since become an indispensable part of civilian life. From smartphone navigation to precision agriculture and surveying, GPS relies on a network of satellites orbiting Earth that transmit signals to receivers on the ground. These receivers use the signals to calculate their precise location. West's work on modeling the Earth's shape and gravitational field was crucial for ensuring the accuracy of these calculations.

The impact of GPS extends across numerous industries. In transportation, it enables efficient routing and tracking of vehicles. In agriculture, it allows for precision farming techniques that optimize crop yields. In emergency services, it facilitates rapid response and location of individuals in distress. The technology's influence continues to expand with the development of new applications and services.