Laurel van der Wal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Laurel van der Wal
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Laurel van der Wal, Smithsonian Institution Archives.
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| Born | September 22, 1924 San Francisco, California
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| Died | August 13, 2009 (aged 84) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Laurel Roennau |
| Alma mater | University of California Berkeley |
| Known for | bioastronautics research |
| Spouse(s) | William Henry Roennau (divorced) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Aeronautical engineering |
Laurel van der Wal (born September 22, 1924 – died August 13, 2009) was an amazing American engineer. She was an expert in aeronautical engineering, which is about designing and building aircraft and spacecraft. Laurel is famous for her work in bioastronautics. This field studies how living things, like humans, are affected by space travel. In 1960, the Los Angeles Times newspaper even called her the "Woman of the Year in Science" because of her important discoveries.
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Early Life and Education
Laurel van der Wal was born in San Francisco, California. Her parents were Lillian and Richard van der Wal. She was a very bright student and finished high school when she was only 15 years old.
As a young woman, Laurel had many different jobs. She worked as a model and an art teacher. She was even a deputy sheriff for a while. During World War II, she worked as an aircraft mechanic. This job was at Hamilton Army Airfield.
Laurel wanted to learn more about machines. So, she went to the University of California, Berkeley. In 1949, she earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering with honors. She also received a special fellowship. This allowed her to study aeronautics in Stockholm, Sweden.
Career in Space Science
After college, Laurel van der Wal started her engineering career. She worked at Douglas Aircraft Company. There, she helped analyze data for the Nike missile program. Later, she designed missile systems for the Ramo-Wooldridge Corporation.
In 1958, Laurel became a project engineer. She led three special launches called MIA (Mouse-in-Able). These launches were from Cape Canaveral. She was the head of bioastronautics at Space Technology Laboratories. Her work helped study how space flight affected living things, using mice.
Because of her important work, the Los Angeles Times named her "1960 Woman of the Year in Science." People often asked her if she wanted to go to space herself. She always said, "I'd go in a minute, if they'd let me."
In 1961, Laurel received more honors. The Wives' Wing of the Aerospace Medical Association called her an "outstanding woman scientist." That same year, she won an award from the Society of Women Engineers. This award was for her contributions to bioengineering and bioastronautics. She helped design manned spacecraft. She also worked on systems to help astronauts escape and return safely.
Community and Transportation Work
Laurel van der Wal was the first woman to join the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners. She served on this board from 1961 to 1967. In 1968, she became a planner for Los Angeles International Airport.
Laurel also loved teaching young people. She was a director for the Southern California chapter of the American Rocket Society. She worked with Explorer Scouts. She taught children about space and aeronautics. She believed that "Kids all over the world are excited about space." She said it was "the challenge to their generation."
As the space program grew, Laurel was a popular speaker. She spoke at many events, including women's clubs and teacher meetings. She felt that the children she taught were "the most important thing ever to happen to me."
In the 1970s, she wrote reports for the RAND Corporation. These reports were about making transportation systems better. Later, she worked for the Southern California Association of Governments for 12 years. In her older years, she became an activist. She worked to help control growth in Santa Monica, California.
Personal Life
Laurel van der Wal married William Henry Roennau in 1961. He was also an engineer. They had two sons named Jonathan and Michael. Laurel and William later divorced.
Laurel retired in the late 1980s. She passed away in August 2009 in Santa Monica.
