"Agnes Pockels did pioneering work in surface science. Her invention, the Pockels trough, became the basis for an instrument that helped Katharine Burr Blodgett and Irving Langmuir make discoveries in material science that quietly shape our everyday world."
"Pockels's story invites us to rethink how we define success for scientists. Is our definition too narrow? And what might we gain if we crack it open a bit wider?"
"Blodgett started working for General Electric in 1918. The science she did there led to multiple US patents and formed the basis of technologies we now use in our screens and electronics."
Agnes Pockels made groundbreaking contributions to surface science, particularly with her invention of the Pockels trough. This instrument was crucial for Katharine Burr Blodgett and Irving Langmuir's discoveries in material science, which have lasting effects on modern technology. The narrative surrounding Pockels often relies on outdated stereotypes about women's roles in science, prompting a reevaluation of how success is defined for female scientists. The episode encourages a broader understanding of scientific achievement and the recognition of women's contributions in the field.
#agnes-pockels #katharine-burr-blodgett #material-science #women-in-science #scientific-contributions
Read at www.scientificamerican.com
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