Born: 1910 (Houston, Texas)
Died: 2000
Margaret Hutchinson Rousseau (27 October 1910 – 12 January 2000) was an American chemical engineer who designed the first commercial penicillin production plant. She was the first female member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Hutchinson was born in 1910 in Houston, Texas, the daughter of a clothing store owner. She showed an aptitude for science from a young age and went on to receive her Bachelor of Science degree from Rice Institute in 1932. Hutchinson continued her education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she earned her Doctor of Science degree in chemical engineering in 1937. She became the first woman to earn a doctorate in the subject in the USA. Her thesis topic was The effect of solute on the liquid film resistance in gas absorption.
In May 1939, Hutchinson married William Caubu Rousseau, a co-worker at E.B. Badger & Sons and later a chemical engineering lecturer at MIT. They had one son, William.
During World War II, Hutchinson’s expertise became invaluable as she oversaw the design of production plants for the strategically important materials of penicillin and synthetic rubber. Her groundbreaking work in the development of deep-tank fermentation of penicillium mold enabled large-scale production of penicillin, which played a crucial role in saving countless lives during the war. She also contributed to the development of high-octane gasoline for aviation fuel.
Hutchinson’s career extended beyond the war years. She continued to make significant contributions to the field of chemical engineering, including improved distillation column design and the production of ethylene glycol and glacial acetic acid. Her expertise and knowledge were highly respected, as evidenced by an anecdote from the construction of an ethylene glycol plant, where a workman referred to her as the dame who designed this whole darn plant.
In 1961, Hutchinson retired from her career in chemical engineering. She then became an overseer of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, demonstrating her lifelong passion for the arts and her commitment to supporting cultural institutions.
Throughout her career, Hutchinson received numerous honors and awards. In 1945, she became the first woman to be accepted as a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. In 1955, she received the Achievement Award of the Society of Women Engineers for her outstanding contributions to the field. In 1983, she made history once again as the first female recipient of the prestigious Founders Award of the AIChE, further cementing her legacy as a trailblazer for women in the field of chemical engineering.
Margaret Hutchinson Rousseau’s contributions to the field of chemical engineering and her pioneering work in the production of penicillin have had a lasting impact on society. Her dedication, intelligence, and determination paved the way for future generations of female engineers and scientists, leaving an indelible mark on women’s history.