Agnes Pockels’ pioneering work was unfairly dismissed by tropes about women’s domestic roles

image via New Scientist

March 20, 2026, 3:00 PM

• •Agnes Pockels's work in surface science was groundbreaking, yet often mischaracterized.
• •The commonly cited story of her discovery while doing dishes is likely inaccurate.
• •Her instrument, the Pockels trough, was fundamental to later scientific advancements.
• •Pockels's story prompts a reevaluation of how we define and recognize scientific success.
• •Her contributions highlight the challenges and societal expectations faced by women in science.

Agnes Pockels made pioneering contributions to surface science, inventing an instrument that aided in significant discoveries. However, her achievements have been frequently overshadowed by the simplistic narrative of her discovery occurring while doing dishes, which obscures the complexities of her life. This story highlights the importance of reevaluating how we define scientific success and the societal assumptions that can hinder recognition of women's contributions. Through her story, we can gain a better understanding of the biases that can affect scientific narratives.

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