Wonder Woman of the Week: Hertha Ayrton

Be sure to crunch your numbers because this week's Wonder Woman is one of the most important mathematicians of the 19th Century. Hertha Ayrton is responsible for numerous breakthroughs in the field of mathematics and human health. Born Phoebe Sarah Marks, Ayrton grew up in 1860's England. Phoebe helped her mom raise the several children in the family after her father died in 1861 before leaving home at age nine to attend a school her aunts ran. The fiery teen took classes in mathematics and physics, invented a system that could calculate human blood pressure, and earned a Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of London.

Hertha Ayrton then began taking courses at a technical college where she began intense education in the field of electrical engineering. During this time, Ayrton began working on research on arc lighting- specifically in researching the inconsistency of public electric utilities and how to improve service for customers. For her work on the Electric Arc, Ayrton earned a Hughes Medal- one of the first women to earn the mathematical award. Ayrton used her career successes to help the cause of women's suffrage in England. During the First World War, Ayrton developed a type of ventilation system that could rapidly disperse toxic gas from trenches, and in doing so saved countless soldiers' lives.