Born: 1883 (Howard County, Maryland)
Died: 1959
Biography:
Edith Clarke (February 10, 1883 – October 29, 1959) was a trailblazing American electrical engineer who achieved many firsts in her field. She was not only the first woman to be professionally employed as an electrical engineer in the United States, but also the first female professor of electrical engineering in the country. Throughout her career, Edith Clarke made significant contributions to electrical power system analysis and revolutionized the field with her innovative inventions and calculations.
Born to lawyer John Ridgely Clarke and Susan Dorsey Owings on February 10, 1883, in Howard County, Maryland, Edith Clarke was one of nine children. Tragically, she became an orphan at the age of 12, and an older sister took up the responsibility of raising her. Edith used her inheritance to pursue her passion for mathematics and astronomy at Vassar College, where she graduated in 1908.
After completing her college education, Clarke taught mathematics and physics at a private school in San Francisco, as well as at Marshall College. She then embarked on studying civil engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, but her path veered towards electrical engineering when she joined AT&T as a computer in 1912. Working under George Campbell, who applied mathematical methods to long-distance electrical transmissions, Clarke honed her skills in electrical engineering. In parallel, she pursued further education at night by studying electrical engineering at Columbia University.
In 1918, Edith Clarke enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a decision that would further propel her ground-breaking career. In 1919, she became the first woman to earn a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from MIT. Clarke’s thesis, titled Behavior of a lumpy artificial transmission line as the frequency is indefinitely increased, was supervised by Arthur E. Kennelly, a prominent figure in the field.
Despite her impressive qualifications and expertise, Clarke initially struggled to find work as an engineer. However, her fortunes changed when she joined General Electric (GE) as a supervisor of computers in the Turbine Engineering Department. It was during her time at GE that she invented the Clarke calculator, an early graphing calculator that revolutionized electrical engineering calculations. This simple graphical device was able to solve equations involving electric current, voltage, and impedance in power transmission lines with astonishing speed. Clarke filed a patent for the calculator in 1921, and it was granted in 1925.
In 1921, Clarke faced gender discrimination and inequality in the workplace, which led her to take a leave of absence from GE and teach physics at the Constantinople Women’s College in Turkey. Undeterred by the challenges she faced as a woman in her field, Clarke returned to GE the following year and was offered a position as a salaried electrical engineer in the Central Station Engineering Department. This made her the first professional female electrical engineer in the United States, marking another historic achievement in her career.
Throughout her life, Edith Clarke continued to make significant contributions to the field of electrical engineering. She retired from GE in 1945 but remained active as a consultant and lecturer. She shared her knowledge and expertise with countless engineers, students, and aspiring women in the field.
Edith Clarke’s contributions and accomplishments did not go unnoticed. She received numerous accolades for her pioneering work, including being the first woman to deliver a paper at the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. She also became the first female engineer whose professional standing was recognized by Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society. Additionally, Edith Clarke was named a Fellow of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, solidifying her place as an influential figure in electrical engineering history.
Edith Clarke’s contributions to society and her groundbreaking achievements as a female engineer continue to inspire future generations of scientists and engineers, particularly women in STEM fields. Her determination, resilience, and passion for her work have left an indelible mark on the world of electrical engineering, making her a true trailblazer and an icon of women’s history.
Awards:
– First woman to deliver a paper at the American Institute of Electrical Engineers.
– First female engineer whose professional standing was recognized by Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society.
– Named as a Fellow of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers.