The chemical genius of Katharine Burr Blodgett

image via New Scientist

January 29, 2026, 6:00 PM

• •Katharine Burr Blodgett was the first woman to earn a PhD in physics from the University of Cambridge.
• •She developed Langmuir-Blodgett films, a method for creating thin, layered coatings.
• •Her work led to the development of non-reflective glass, used in various applications like eyeglasses and camera lenses.
• •Blodgett's contributions to science have been largely overlooked despite her groundbreaking achievements.

This article explores the life and scientific contributions of Katharine Burr Blodgett, a pioneering female scientist whose discoveries in materials science shaped the modern world. Blodgett's work at General Electric Company, particularly her invention of non-reflective glass, was groundbreaking, though she often worked in the shadow of Irving Langmuir, a Nobel laureate. The article details her early life, education, and career, highlighting her significant advancements in nanotechnology and thin-film technology. It also discusses the challenges she faced as a woman in science and the efforts to recognize her legacy.

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