Definition
Margaret Ingels (1902 – 1990) was an American mechanical engineer notable for her pioneering work in refrigeration and air‑conditioning technology and for being one of the first women to attain professional recognition in these engineering fields.
Overview
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Ingels pursued higher education at Iowa State College (now Iowa State University), where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1925, becoming the first woman to graduate with that degree from the institution. After graduation, she joined the research staff of General Electric, where she focused on the thermodynamics of cooling systems.
Ingels conducted extensive research on the performance of cooling coils, evaporative cooling, and desiccant‑based air‑conditioning methods. Her most cited work, The Theory of the Cooling Coil (published in the Transactions of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air‑Conditioning Engineers in 1930), provided a mathematical framework that influenced subsequent design of HVAC equipment.
In 1945 she became the first female member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air‑Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), an organization with which she remained actively involved for several decades. Throughout her career she authored numerous technical papers and held several patents related to refrigeration cycles and portable cooling devices.
Ingels was honored with multiple professional awards, including ASHRAE’s Distinguished Service Award (1969) and the Society of Women Engineers’ Engineering Hall of Fame induction (1975). She also advocated for the inclusion of women in engineering education and professional practice, mentoring several generations of female engineers.
Etymology/Origin
- Margaret derives from the Greek word margaritēs meaning “pearl.”
- Ingels is a surname of Germanic origin; it is likely a patronymic form of the personal name Ingel or a variant of Engel, meaning “angel” in German.
Characteristics
- Field of Expertise: Mechanical engineering, with a specialization in thermodynamics, refrigeration, and air‑conditioning systems.
- Key Contributions: Development of theoretical models for cooling coil performance; innovations in evaporative and desiccant cooling technologies; early work on portable air‑conditioning units.
- Professional Milestones: First woman to receive a mechanical engineering degree from Iowa State College; first female ASHRAE member; author of influential technical literature; holder of patents in HVAC technology.
- Advocacy: Prominent supporter of women’s participation in engineering, active mentor, and speaker on gender equity in technical professions.
Related Topics
- Air‑conditioning and refrigeration engineering
- American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air‑Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
- History of women in engineering
- Thermodynamics of cooling systems
- Willis Haviland Carrier (pioneer of modern air‑conditioning)
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)