Today is the birthday, in 1889, of Verena Winifred Holmes. She was an English mechanical engineer and multi-field inventor, the first woman member elected to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (1924) and the Institution of Locomotive Engineers (1931), and was a strong supporter of women in engineering. She was one of the early members of the Women’s Engineering Society, and its president in 1931. She was the first practicing engineer to serve as president of the society.
She worked work for the industrial engine manufacturer Ruston and Hornsby while taking technical courses. In 1922, Holmes graduated from Loughborough Engineering College with a BSc(Eng) degree. Her technical specialities included marine and locomotive engines, diesel and internal combustion engines. In 1925, Holmes set up her own consulting company. Holmes patented a number of inventions, including the Holmes and Wingfield pneumo-thorax apparatus for treating patients with tuberculosis, a surgeon’s headlamp, a poppet valve for steam locomotives, and rotary valves for internal combustion engines. She held patents for twelve inventions for medical devices as well as engine components.
During World War II Holmes worked on naval weaponry and in 1940 became adviser to Ernest Bevin, the minister of labour, on the training of munition workers. She was appointed headquarters technical officer with the Ministry of Labour. She was influential in setting up the Women’s Technical Services Register during the Second World War, which included a training course for women munitions workers to enable them to apply for roles such as junior draughtsmen and laboratory assistants.
Verena Holmes’ birthday of 23 June coincides with International Women in Engineering Day and she is commemorated as part of that celebration.
Uh oh…
Will somebody please call Carly Rae Jepson? Great plot twist here…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNaR-rxAic
