Iris M. Ovshinsky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Iris M. Ovshinsky
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| Born | July 13, 1927 |
| Died | August 16, 2006 (aged 79) |
| Alma mater | Bachelor's degree, zoology, Swarthmore College, 1947; master's degree, biology, University of Michigan, 1950; doctorate, biochemistry, from Boston University, 1960 |
| Known for | Co-founding Energy Conversion Devices with her husband |
| Spouse(s) | Andrew Dibner, Stanford R. Ovshinsky |
Iris M. Ovshinsky (July 13, 1927 – August 16, 2006) was an American scientist and businesswoman. She helped start a company called Energy Conversion Devices with her husband, Stanford R. Ovshinsky. She was the Vice President of this company from when it began in 1960 until she passed away.
About Iris Ovshinsky
Iris Ovshinsky was born Iris L. Miroy in New York City. She was a very smart student who loved science.
Her Education
Iris went to Swarthmore College and earned a degree in zoology in 1947. Zoology is the study of animals. Later, she got a master's degree in biology from the University of Michigan in 1950. Biology is the study of all living things. In 1960, she earned her highest degree, a doctorate, in biochemistry from Boston University. Biochemistry looks at the chemical processes happening inside living organisms.
A Partnership in Science
Iris Ovshinsky was married twice. She first married Andrew Dibner and had two children, Steven and Robin. After their marriage ended in 1959, she married Stanford R. Ovshinsky in 1962. Stanford had three sons, Ben, Harvey, and Dale, who became her stepsons.
Her husband, Stanford, was a famous inventor. He created many important things, like the Nickel-metal hydride battery. These batteries are used in many devices today. He also invented amorphous materials. These are special materials used in things like flexible solar panels and rewritable CDs and DVDs.
Iris was a true partner in all their work. Stanford always said she was a "colleague and collaborator" in his scientific discoveries. She helped him with his research and ideas.
Her Legacy
Iris Ovshinsky appeared briefly in a documentary film called Who Killed the Electric Car? This movie looked at how electric cars were made, sold for a short time, and then stopped being produced in the United States. It focused on the General Motors EV1 car from the 1990s.
Iris M. Ovshinsky passed away on August 16, 2006, when she was 79 years old. She had a heart attack while swimming near her home in Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, Michigan.
