Ten fun facts about Katharine Burr Blodgett

Ten fun facts about Katharine Burr Blodgett


1. " First Woman Physics Ph.D. from Cambridge"

Katharine Burr Blodgett made history in 1926 when she became the first woman to obtain a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Cambridge. Her groundbreaking achievement was a major milestone in the advancement of women in the sciences, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of female scientists. Blodgett's Ph.D. thesis focused on the study of surface tension and the properties of thin films, and her research laid the foundation for the development of non-reflective glass and other modern technologies.

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2. Tragedy Marred Katharine Burr Blodgett's Life.

Katharine Burr Blodgett's life was tragically impacted before she was even born. Her father was shot and killed in a home invasion, and the perpetrator was apprehended and taken into custody. However, the killer ultimately took his own life while in jail, leaving Blodgett without the chance to ever meet her father.

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3. A Trailblazer in Science

Katharine Burr Blodgett was a trailblazer in the field of science, and she was fortunate to receive the same education as her male peers. She attended the Rayson School, a private school that provided her with the same rigorous education as the male students. Blodgett was able to take advantage of this opportunity and went on to become the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Cambridge. Her success was a testament to the importance of providing equal educational opportunities for all students.

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4. Katharine Burr Blodgett Day Honored in Her Home Town

Katharine Burr Blodgett, a pioneering scientist and inventor, was honored with a special day in her home town of Schenectady, New York on June 13th. The mayor of the city declared the day to be Katharine Blodgett Day, in recognition of her many accomplishments and contributions to science. Blodgett was the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in physics from Cambridge University, and she was the first female scientist to be employed by General Electric. She is best known for her invention of the non-reflective glass coating, which revolutionized the optics industry. Blodgett's legacy of innovation and scientific achievement continues to inspire generations of scientists and inventors.

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5. Woman of Many Talents: Katharine Burr Blodgett

Katharine Burr Blodgett was a woman of many talents. In her spare time, she enjoyed taking on the stage, collecting antiques from all around the world, and writing humorous poems that were sure to bring a smile to anyone's face. She was passionate about the arts, and her collection of antiques was a testament to her love of history and culture. Her poems were often witty and clever, and she was known for her ability to make people laugh. Katharine Burr Blodgett was truly a remarkable woman.

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6. Pioneer Scientist Katharine Burr Blodgett's Unconventional Life

Katharine Burr Blodgett was a pioneering scientist who lived an unconventional life. She was in a Boston marriage with Gertrude Brown, a relationship in which two women lived together without the support of a man. This was a rare arrangement for the time, but Blodgett and Brown were determined to live their lives on their own terms. Blodgett was a trailblazer in her field, and her Boston marriage was just one example of her independent spirit.

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7. First Female Scientist Hired by GE

In 1920, Katharine Burr Blodgett made history when she became the first female scientist to be hired by General Electric. As a research scientist, she was responsible for developing new products and technologies, and her work was instrumental in the development of the modern-day non-reflective glass. Blodgett was also the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in physics from Cambridge University, and she was the first female scientist to be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Her groundbreaking work in the field of science and technology has had a lasting impact on the world.

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8. 21-Year-Old Blodgett Publishes on Gas Masks

At just 21 years old, Katharine Burr Blodgett made a major contribution to the war effort during World War 1. She published a paper in the prestigious journal "Physical Review" on the development of gas mask materials, which were desperately needed at the time. Her paper was highly regarded and helped to improve the safety of soldiers on the battlefield.

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9. 6-time inventor Katharine Burr Blodgett's incredible skills

Katharine Burr Blodgett was an incredible inventor, having created a total of 6 inventions all on her own. She was so talented that she only needed assistance with 2 of her inventions, demonstrating her remarkable skill and ingenuity. Her inventions included a method for producing a monomolecular film, a method for producing a transparent coating, a method for producing a transparent coating on glass, a method for producing a transparent coating on paper, a method for producing a transparent coating on metal, and a method for producing a transparent coating on wood.

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10. Pioneer of Molecular Coatings

Katharine Burr Blodgett was a pioneering scientist who made a major breakthrough in the field of molecular coatings on glass. She invented a 'glass' ruler that could measure coatings to an accuracy of one millionth of an inch. This invention revolutionized the way scientists and engineers could measure and analyze the thickness of coatings on glass, allowing for more precise and accurate measurements. Blodgett's invention has been used in a variety of industries, from automotive to aerospace, and has been instrumental in the development of new technologies.

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Short about Katharine Burr Blodgett
An American physicist.

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