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Katherine Burr Blodgett

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Katherine Burr Blodgett (1898-1979) was an American physicist and inventor who worked at General Electric Research Laboratory, becoming the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in physics from Cambridge University in 1926. Her most notable achievement was the invention of nonreflective or "invisible" glass in 1938, created by applying monomolecular films to glass surfaces, for which she received a patent. This innovation had widespread applications in optics, from camera lenses to eyeglasses, periscopes, and telescopes.

Blodgett's work on surface chemistry established fundamental principles still used in coatings and thin-film technology today.

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Who was Katherine Burr Blodgett?

Katherine Burr Blodgett was an American physicist and inventor who worked at General Electric's Research Laboratory. She lived from 1898 to 1979 and became the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Cambridge in 1926.

What did Katherine Burr Blodgett invent?

Blodgett developed nonreflective or anti-reflective glass while working at General Electric. Her thin-film coatings reduced glare and became important for optical devices such as camera lenses and other glass systems.

How did the Langmuir-Blodgett film relate to her work?

Blodgett extended Irving Langmuir's surface-chemistry research by transferring molecular layers onto glass one layer at a time. The resulting Langmuir-Blodgett technique allowed the coating thickness to be controlled precisely.

When did Blodgett's nonreflective glass become notable?

General Electric publicly announced the development of nonreflecting glass in 1938. The work was a practical extension of Blodgett's research on molecular films and surface chemistry.