Remembering History: Day 29: Beatrice Alice Hicks (1919–1979). Engineer and Super Nerd. Designed and patented a gas density switch later used in the U.S. space program. First female engineer employed by Western Electrics Company. Founding member and first President of the Society of Women Engineers. Earned graduate degrees in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, and physics. Took over her father’s company and bought it out from her uncle.

Day 29: Beatrice Alice Hicks (1919–1979). Engineer and Super Nerd. Designed and patented a gas density switch later used in the U.S. space program. First female engineer employed by Western Electrics Company. Founding member and first President of the Society of Women Engineers. Earned graduate degrees in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, and physics. Took over her father’s company and bought it out from her uncle.

Day 29: Beatrice Alice Hicks (1919–1979). Engineer and Super Nerd. Designed and patented a gas density switch later used in the U.S. space program. First female engineer employed by Western Electrics Company. Founding member and first President of the Society of Women Engineers. Earned graduate degrees in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, and physics. Took over her father’s company and bought it out from her uncle.