In 1961, a photojournalist from LIFE Magazine conceptualized this scene, a nod to what working at NASA might have looked like during an era free of computers. At the time, NASA worked out complex mathematics and physics to calculate spacecraft trajectories, propulsion, navigation and communications using the best tool at hand — a chalkboard. Engineers and scientists laboriously scribbled equations on the boards and used them not only as personal computers (to work out the math); but also as powerpoint slides (to present ideas.) An interesting aside -- the equations pictured here depict laws of motion, but are not accurate, as this photo was conceived during the crescendo of the Space Race and all internal planning was obviously embargoed. Image credit: J. R. Eyerman, LIFE magazine, c. 1961 LIFE #flashbackfriday #friday #fridayfunday #powerpoint #chalkboards #vintage #nasa #lifemagazine #rocket #science #equations #math #history #space