Martha J. B. Thomas facts for kids

Martha J. B. Thomas (born March 13, 1926, died October 16, 2006) was an important American chemical engineer. She was also an analytical chemist. She is best known for her amazing work with phosphorus, a special chemical element.

Martha's Early Life and School

Martha Jane Bergin was born in West Roxbury, a part of Boston, on March 13, 1926. Her parents were Augusta and John Bergin.

As a child, she went to Boston Girls Latin School. She graduated with honors from Radcliffe College in 1945. There, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree.

Later, she got her PhD in chemistry from Boston University in 1953. She did this while working at Sylvania Electric Products. Much later, in 1983, she earned an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from Northeastern University in Boston.

Her Career and Discoveries

Martha Thomas started her professional career in 1945 at Sylvania Electric Products. This company made many electrical products. By 1970, she became the head of the Phosphor Research and Development Section there.

During her time at Sylvania, she set up their first pilot plants for making phosphors. These are substances that glow when exposed to light or other radiation. She also taught chemistry at Boston University from 1952 to 1970.

She worked for over 40 years at GTE Electrical Products Group in Danvers, Massachusetts. She was a director of technical services there. During her career, she made 23 official improvements to lightbulbs.

Improving Lightbulbs

Martha Thomas held 24 patents for making lighting technology better. Her patents covered things like fluorescent lamps and how phosphor chemicals work.

One of her most important inventions was a special white phosphorus powder. She used this powder to coat fluorescent tubes. This made the light from these tubes look much more like natural daylight. She also created a special treatment using phosphor. This treatment made mercury lamps 10% brighter.

Awards and Special Honors

Martha Thomas received the Achievement Award from the Society of Women Engineers in 1965. This award recognized her important work in chemistry. It honored her as an engineer, a teacher, and an administrator. It also noted her dedication as a wife and mother. She was a very active member of this organization.

In 1991, the Museum of Science in Boston named her the New England Inventor. This award is given to people whose ideas and use of science have helped society.

She also received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Boston University. This award celebrates successful former students.

Martha's Personal Life

Martha Jane Bergin married Dr. George Thomas on October 29, 1955. He was a government scientist. They were married at St. Brigid's Church in Millbury. They had four daughters: Augusta, Anne, Abigail, and Susan.

When she retired in 1990, Martha and her husband moved to Westport, Massachusetts. After her husband passed away, Martha moved to live with her daughter Susan's family in Royal Palm Beach, Florida.

Martha J. B. Thomas died at her home on October 16, 2006. She was 80 years old. She was buried in Holyhood Cemetery in Brighton, Massachusetts.

See also

In Spanish: Martha J. B. Thomas para niños