Helen Blair Bartlett
Personal Information
Born: 1901
Died: 1969
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: White
Education
Ohio Wesleyan University BS Geology 1927; Ohio State University PhD Mineralogy 1931
Professional Life
Field of Study: Geology; Mineralogy;Petrographer
Institution/Corporation: General Motors
Degrees & Memberships: Member: Phi Beta Kappa; Fellow Mineralogical Society of America; Fellow American Ceramic Society; American Chemical Society; American Academy for the Advancement of Science; Sigma Xi; Pi Mu Epsilon
Awards & Achievements
Awards: None found
Achievements: 1st woman to reach a top techical position (Ceramic Research Scientist) at General Motors (1959); worked on the Manhattan Project at MIT; 1st to invent insulating materials for spark plugs using alumina ceramics; an authority on sintered alumina ceramics structures
Known for her contributions to the design of spark plug insulators
Spent her entire working career at AC Ceramics Research Dept within General Motors
Pushed gender boundaries within the transportation industry-a traditionally male domain
Briefly left GM to work on the Manhattan Project
Was an avid golfer & supporter of science fairs
1st female to attain a top technical position at GM (1959)
Held 7 patents