Did you know that the term engineering is derived from the Latin ingenium, meaning “cleverness”?
Engineering is an activity that transforms knowledge into something practical and the engineer relies to develop it on mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, economic and administrative sciences, engineering sciences and applied engineering.
This field has long been considered a “man’s” job. In the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries the conditions and credibility of a woman in this type of position were even worse. Being a female engineer was quite an achievement, it was very difficult to get studies and jobs in that field, as well as get awards and recognitions!
Today we will talk to you about these super interesting and important female engineers, they are role models! Do you know what inventions or discoveries they made? Keep reading!
6 female engineers who marked a milestone in history
- Edith Clarke (1883-1959) was the first woman hired professionally as an electrical engineer in the United States. Additionally, she enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, becoming the first woman to earn a Master of Science in electrical engineering from MIT.
- Lillian Evelyn Gilbreth (1878-1972) was one of the first female engineers to earn a doctorate, and possibly the first true industrial/organizational psychologist, a pioneer in applying psychology to time and motion studies.
- Beatrice Shilling OBE (1909-1990) was a British aeronautical engineer, motorcycle and sports car driver. At only 14 years old she bought a motorcycle that she modified herself! She decided to study electrical engineering at the University of Manchester, later obtaining a master’s degree in mechanical engineering.
- Mary Jackson (1921-2005) was an American mathematician and aerospace engineer, who worked for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became NASA. Wow, amazing!
- Margaret Hutchinson Rousseau (1910-2000) was the American chemical engineer who designed the first commercial penicillin production plant (a super important medicine!). The first woman to earn a PhD in chemical engineering from MIT in the United States!
- Yvonne Madelaine Brill (1924-2013) was a Canadian-American aerospace engineer specializing in rocket propulsion systems. In addition, she also worked on the propulsion system of TIROS (Television Infrared Observation Satellite), the first meteorological satellite.
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