Elizabeth Killick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Killick
|
|
|---|---|
fair use image only
|
|
| Born | 10 September 1924 London, England
|
| Died | 7 July 2019 (aged 94) Stoughton, West Sussex, England
|
| Alma mater | University of St Andrews |
| Known for | Naval electronics engineering |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Women's Auxiliary Air Force Admiralty Signals and Radar Establishment Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment General Electric Company |
Elizabeth "Betty" Audrey Killick (born September 10, 1924 – died July 7, 2019) was a brilliant British engineer. She specialized in electronics for the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence. Her work involved important radar and weapons systems. In 1982, she made history by becoming the first woman to be chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. This is a very high honor for engineers.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Elizabeth Killick was born in London, England. Her father was an accountant who received an award for his work. Her mother's family also had interesting careers, including working at the stock exchange.
Betty went to Streatham and Clapham High School. During World War II, she moved to Cheshire to stay safe from the bombings in London, known as the Blitz.
Starting Her Engineering Journey
After school, Betty joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). This was a special part of the Royal Air Force for women. She worked as a radar mechanic, learning how to fix and maintain radar equipment.
In 1947, after the war, she worked briefly as a lab assistant. Then, she went to the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She studied "natural philosophy," which is an old name for science, including physics. She earned her degree in 1951. Later, in 1998, the university gave her an honorary doctorate, which is a special award for her achievements.
In 1951, Betty Killick began working for the Admiralty Signals and Radar Establishment (ASRE). This government group focused on radar technology for the navy. She worked in the Antenna Division, helping to design and improve radar systems. Her work was very important and often kept secret for national security.
Developing Radar and Weapons Systems
By 1966, Betty had become a Senior Principal Scientific Officer. This was a high rank in the civil service. The ASRE later became part of the Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment (ASWE). In 1967, she gave a rare public talk about her radar techniques.
In 1969, she moved to the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment (AUWE). Here, she worked on radar systems used on Royal Navy warships. She also helped develop torpedoes for submarines and aircraft. She focused on defense and radar before moving to torpedo development.
The AUWE explored new technologies for torpedoes, like systems that help them find their targets. Her work helped create famous torpedoes like the Spearfish and Sting Ray. In 1976, she was promoted again, becoming the head of the Underwater Weapons Department at AUWE.
Promoting Equality in Engineering
During her time at the AUWE, the main building was sometimes called Betty's Hilton. This showed how important and well-known she was there. Betty did not like to be seen only as a "woman engineer." She wanted to be recognized for her excellent skills, not just her gender.
However, she still worked to make things fairer for everyone at AUWE. For example, she helped remove an old rule that said women had to wear skirts at work.
Later Achievements and Recognition
In 1980, Betty Killick became a Fellow of the Institution of Electrical Engineers. Then, in 1982, she made history again. She was the first woman ever to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. This is one of the highest honors for engineers in the UK.
She also served on the board for the Marine Technology Directorate. In this role, she helped connect government, universities, and industries on important projects. After leaving the AUWE, Betty worked for the General Electric Company. This company was building the torpedoes she had helped develop.
Personal Life
Elizabeth Killick lived in Stoughton, West Sussex. She enjoyed hobbies like sailing, skiing, and learning about local history. She passed away on July 7, 2019, at the age of 94.
