Marjorie Bell facts for kids

Marjorie Bell (born December 26, 1906 – died June 10, 2001) was a British electrical engineer. She also worked as a factory inspector. Marjorie had many different jobs, even running her own clothing factory. Later, she became the first woman to study electronic engineering at the Northampton Institute.

After finishing her studies, she taught about electrical appliances. In 1936, she became a factory inspector. She worked all over the country. She even received a medal for her important work during World War II. After the war, Marjorie worked as an inspector in Mandatory Palestine during a time of conflict. When she returned to the United Kingdom, she was promoted. She also received the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.

Even after retiring, Marjorie Bell continued to help. She joined many committees focused on safety in factories. She was part of the first group that worked on making electrical toys safe in Europe. She also became the first woman to lead a technical standards committee for the British Standards Institution. Marjorie was a chartered engineer. She was also an active member and president of the Women's Engineering Society.

Early Life and Education

Marjorie Bell was born on December 26, 1906, in Edmonton, Middlesex, England. Her family was not wealthy. Her father and two brothers were also engineers. Marjorie went to a convent high school. After school, she helped make equipment at the Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company. She had visited this company on a school trip before.

Soon after, Marjorie started her own clothing factory. She later moved to Bungay, Suffolk. There, she had several different jobs. One job involved shoveling coal at a gas works.

Marjorie then became the first female student to study electronic engineering at the Northampton Institute. While studying, she worked at the research labs of the General Electric Corporation. In 1932, she joined the Women's Engineering Society. She was active in many of their local groups. Marjorie graduated in 1934 with a bachelor of science degree. After graduating, she lectured at the Woolwich Technical College. She also showed how electrical appliances worked for the Worthing Town Council and the Municipal Borough of Ealing.

Becoming a Factory Inspector

Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal

In 1936, Marjorie Bell joined the government as a factory inspector. She worked in places like Bristol, Walsall, and the East Midlands. She inspected factories that processed fish, made bricks, canned fruit, and produced fertilizers. She received a medal for her work during World War II.

In 1947, she became an inspector in Mandatory Palestine. This was a territory controlled by the British. Later, she became the chief inspector of factories there. Marjorie oversaw canning factories in Jaffa. She also inspected potash, olive oil, and soap works near the Dead Sea. She worked at oil refineries in Haifa. She led a team made up of both Jewish and Arab workers. Even though there was a civil war happening, Marjorie later said her time in Palestine was one of her favorite memories.

After a year, she returned to the United Kingdom. She worked as a factory inspector in Wolverhampton. There, she was in charge of factories that made a lot of Britain's glass. Marjorie was promoted to district inspector for Gloucester, then Blackburn, and finally London. In 1953, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. She also served as president of the Women's Engineering Society from 1956 to 1957.

At that time, women in the civil service had to retire at age 60. So, Marjorie had to retire then.

Later Career and Interests

After retiring, Marjorie Bell worked for several consulting companies. She also served on many committees that focused on safety in factories. She was part of the first group that worked on making electrical toys safe for the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization. She also became the first woman to lead a technical standards committee for the British Standards Institution. This committee also focused on toys.

Marjorie was a graduate member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers. She was also a member of the Institution of Industrial Safety Officers and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. She became a chartered engineer. In 1972, she was made an honorary member of the Women's Engineering Society.

In her free time, Marjorie was a member of Soroptimist International. She was also a bee keeper and looked after two garden plots.

Marjorie Bell passed away in Enfield, London, on June 10, 2001. She chose to donate her body to science. Her funeral was not religious.

See also

In Spanish: Marjorie Bell para niños