Who was James Webb and why is the telescope named after him?

The most powerful telescope today, James Webbhas already sent its first photos that fascinate humanity. But do you know who the honored man was? Understand who he is, what contributions and debates about this character in history.

James Edwin Webb He was the second director of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at the invitation of President John Kennedy, who promised to land man on the Moon in the late 1960s.

Webb was born in 1906 in Tally Ho, North Carolina, USA. He was not a scientist or an engineer. Webb graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1928 and from George Washington University in 1936 with a law degree.

He lived mostly in public service, although he also pursued a military career. Webb served as a lieutenant in the Marine Corps from 1930 to 1932, where he served as a pilot. II. World War.

Upon his return from the war, Webb was appointed Director of Budget in the Office of the President, a position he held until the end of President Harry S. Truman’s term when he took over as Assistant Secretary of State in the United States Department of State in 1949. .

Arrival at NASA

After spending time at Kerr-McGee Oil Corp, James Webb was invited to become a NASA administrator. At first he considered not accepting the post as he had no relation to science and focused his career more on bureaucracy.

But he eventually accepted the challenge and led NASA from 1961 to 1968. During his tenure, great advances were made thanks to his connections and political leanings.

According to Webb’s biography, available on the NASA website, “He believed that NASA needed to strike a balance between manned spaceflight and science, as such a combination would act as a catalyst to strengthen the nation’s universities and aerospace industry.

When NASA retired, it had sent more than 75 space missions to explore our universe. Man first set foot on the Moon in 1969, months after Webb left NASA’s direction. Webb’s efforts have repercussions to this day.

Webb’s Field of Flowers

But not all the contributions of the James Webb administration, whether at NASA or Washington, are laudable.

A movement that started in the 1950s persecuted LGBTQIA+ people. Any employee who raised doubts about their sexuality risked being fired. This hunt within the American government and NASA itself has been dubbed the “Lavender Fear”, which literally translates to the fear of lavender.

According to Webb’s family members, “James could not discriminate against anyone,” in an interview with Nature magazine. However, he apparently did not resist this exclusionary policy and contributed to the continuity of this infamous system.

tribute and controversy

In 2002, the telescope will be the successor Hubble, the name given to the new equipment has caused confusion. Sean O’Keefe, NASA’s director at the time, said that the name chosen James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

The team says they see it as a fair tribute to one of the most prominent figures in NASA’s administration, and under his tutelage, the agency has made flights that would never have been imagined.

But the name chosen was surprising for several reasons. Among them, the telescope was not named after a scientist, as is customary. Second, the surprise is that the chosen name is included in a parsing program.

The appointment caused outrage in the scientific community, which called for a name change. Despite the controversy, however, NASA denied the request, saying there was no evidence that the “lavender scare” actually occurred.

Discussions about changing the name continue, although NASA denies it. Also square, park, monument, etc. The naming of places with the names of people who may be directly or indirectly involved in discrimination cases and its reflections on society were also discussed.

Despite Webb’s indisputable contributions, his legacy runs deep not only in the sciences, but also in the lives of people whose jobs have been taken away.

As we evolve as a society, we must consider the cost of rewarding behavior that might be considered shameful. Despite the immense importance of all his contributions, James Webb’s career has a blur that overshadows all its brilliance.