Betty Lou Bailey facts for kids

Betty Lou Bailey (born 1929, died 2007) was an amazing American engineer. She worked as a mechanical engineer for a big company called General Electric Company. Betty Lou was super smart and even invented a special part for aircraft engines! This invention helped control how hot gases flowed out of the engine.

To honor her, the Society of Women Engineers created a scholarship in her name. This scholarship helps young women who want to study engineering. Betty Lou was also the first woman to join the Engineering Society of Cincinnati.

Early Life and Inspiration

Betty Lou was the youngest of five children. She was very good at math and science in high school. Her father was a civil engineer, but it was her older sister Helen and Helen's husband, Paul, who inspired Betty Lou to become an engineer.

Paul sold welding machines and taught Helen how to weld. During World War II, Helen taught many men and women how to weld. Even though some of Helen's female students were better welders than the men, the men were always given jobs first.

Because of this, Helen suggested that Betty Lou should go into engineering. Their brother, Clark, had decided not to be an engineer. Both sisters felt this was why their father supported Betty Lou's choice to become an engineer.

Education Journey

Betty Lou started college at the University of Illinois when she was only seventeen. She began her studies in mechanical engineering a year earlier than most students. Sadly, both of Betty Lou's parents passed away by the end of her first year of college.

In 1950, Betty Lou graduated with high honors. She was the only female engineer in her graduating class of about 700 students. In her sorority, only two members were engineers, and Betty Lou was one of them! Later, in 1967, she earned her Master's degree in Engineering Science from Penn State.

Career and Big Ideas

Betty Lou Bailey worked at General Electric Company in several important roles. She was a testing engineer, a design engineer, and a systems engineer. She worked in different departments, including the Large Jet Engine Department and the Gas Turbine Department. She also worked at the Valley Forge Space Technology Center.

Her work changed over time, from designing household appliances to working on steam turbines and jet engines. Eventually, she even worked on the NASA Nimbus weather satellite project! When she first interviewed with GE, she said she wanted to work for a company where engineers were considered important.

Besides her engineering work, Betty Lou also started a math tournament in Cincinnati for high school students. This helped encourage young people to get excited about math.

The Exhaust Nozzle Invention

While working at General Electric, Betty Lou invented and patented a special exhaust nozzle. This invention was very important for jet engines.

She also helped GE create a new way to get bids for their air emission tests. One time, she noticed a gas leak from a gas turbine. This leak was causing problems with the machine's efficiency and destroying a seal. Because of her sharp eye, the company realized that six weeks of combustion tests were wrong. Her invention helped fix the problem, and the company's new gas turbine passed its tests. This was a huge success because it was the first gas turbine of its kind!

Joining Engineering Societies

Betty Lou was a very active member of engineering groups. In 1951, she joined the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). She was an officer for the Philadelphia section and served on the SWE Executive Committee. In 1985, she was chosen to be part of the SWE College of Fellows, which is a high honor. In 2011, a scholarship was created in her name to help future female engineers.

She was also the first woman to join the Engineering Society of Cincinnati. She even led its Guidance Committee. Betty Lou also served on national committees for other important groups, like the National Society of Professional Engineers.

In 1964, Betty Lou attended the first International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists in New York. She traveled to Britain for the second conference in 1967. There, she met other women engineers from around the world.

Personal Life and Hobbies

Betty Lou Bailey was an active environmentalist. She loved being outdoors and enjoyed many hobbies. She liked sewing, traveling, canoeing, cycling, and hiking. She even hiked the entire Appalachian Trail over several years, completing it in different sections.

Betty Lou was a member of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK). In 2004, she received their highest award. She earned this for her work in checking hydropower applications. Her efforts helped make sure enough water was released from dams to support river life and water sports.

Sadly, Betty Lou died suddenly on November 13, 2007. She passed away during a cycling trip with the ADK.

See also

In Spanish: Betty Lou Bailey para niños