There are many engineering greats that everyone knows; the work of people like Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla is famous and deservedly so. Have you ever wondered about some lesser-known people who have quietly had a profound effect on building services today?
Hertha Marks Ayrton
First, we have Hertha Marks Ayrton (1854-1923), a British engineer and mathematician. Her groundbreaking work on electric arcs improved the efficiency of lighting systems and paved the way for modern arc welding techniques. Her research influenced the development of more efficient lighting solutions, and it is only just being superseded by LED technology.
Willis Carrier
Willis Carrier (1876-1950) is often overlooked despite being considered by some as the father of modern HVAC systems. His early work focused on controlling humidity in printing plants, which led to strides being made in the field of air-conditioning. In contrast, his innovations in climate control have influenced countless engineers and architects.
Edith Clarke
The first woman to earn an electrical engineering degree from MIT was Edith Clarke (1883-1959). Her development of the “Clarke transformation” simplified power system calculations, making it easier to analyse and design complex electrical networks. This mathematical tool is still used in power system analysis and has been crucial in developing smart grid technologies.
If there are any unsung heroes that you would like us to discuss, please let us know who and why.
