Emma Unson Rotor: Difference between revisions
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'''Emma Unson Rotor''' (May 18, 1913 – September 6, 1998) was a Filipino-American physicist and mathematician whose pioneering work during World War II significantly contributed to the development of the proximity fuse, a crucial advancement in military technology that played a critical role in the Allied victory of World War II.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Emma Unson Rotor (1913-1998) |website=Find a Grave |url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179372319/emma-unson-rotor |access-date=2024-09-20 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Emma Unson Rotor: The Filipina Physicist Who Developed a Top Secret Weapon |url=https://www.lostwomenofscience.org/podcast-episodes/from-our-inboxemma-unson-rotor-the-filipina-physicist-who-developed-a-top-secret-weapon |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=lostwomenofscience.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> |
'''Emma Unson Rotor''' (May 18, 1913 – September 6, 1998) was a Filipino-American physicist and mathematician whose pioneering work during World War II significantly contributed to the development of the proximity fuse, a crucial advancement in military technology that played a critical role in the Allied victory of World War II.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Emma Unson Rotor (1913-1998) |website=Find a Grave |url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179372319/emma-unson-rotor |access-date=2024-09-20 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Emma Unson Rotor: The Filipina Physicist Who Developed a Top Secret Weapon |url=https://www.lostwomenofscience.org/podcast-episodes/from-our-inboxemma-unson-rotor-the-filipina-physicist-who-developed-a-top-secret-weapon |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=lostwomenofscience.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> |
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{{Infobox |
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| name = Emma Unson Rotor |
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| title = Emma Unson Rotor |
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| label1 = Born |
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| data1 = Emma Unson |
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May 18, 1913 |
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| label2 = Died |
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| data2 = September 6, 1998 (aged 85) |
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| label3 = Alma mater |
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| data3 = University of Santo Tomas |
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| label4 = Institutions |
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| data4 = National Institute of Standards and Technology |
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}} |
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== Early life and education == |
== Early life and education == |
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Revision as of 20:34, 20 September 2024
Emma Unson Rotor (May 18, 1913 – September 6, 1998) was a Filipino-American physicist and mathematician whose pioneering work during World War II significantly contributed to the development of the proximity fuse, a crucial advancement in military technology that played a critical role in the Allied victory of World War II.[1][2][3]
| Born | Emma Unson May 18, 1913 |
|---|---|
| Died | September 6, 1998 (aged 85) |
| Alma mater | University of Santo Tomas |
| Institutions | National Institute of Standards and Technology |
Early life and education
Emma Unson Rotor was born on May 18, 1913, in Manila, Philippines.[1][4] She attended the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, where she earned an undergraduate degree in math, and a master’s degree in physics in 1937.[2] After she graduated, she worked as a mathematics instructor at the University of Santo Tomas for several years.[2][3][4] In October 1941, she moved to the United States to study physics at Johns Hopkins University.[4][3][2][5] However, the outbreak of World War II disrupted her plans.[2][3][5] Unable to access her Philippine government scholarship, she needed to work to support herself.[2][4][5] Rotor enrolled in a typing and shorthand course at the YMCA and subsequently worked as a stenographer at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore while taking courses at Johns Hopkins University.[4][3][5]
Research and career
In January 1944, Rotor joined the Ordinance Development Division at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), now known as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).[2][3][5] Hired as a physicist under a wartime appointment, she supported experimental investigations into the development of new ordinance devices, which are military tools or weapons designed for combat.[3] Her work involved the design, construction, and testing of mechanical, electrical, and radio components for these devices.[3]
Rotor and her colleagues developed the proximity fuse, a sophisticated device designed to detonate missiles as they approach their targets, rather than upon direct impact.[3][2][6][7][5] This technology relied on radio waves to detect the proximity of a target and then trigger detonation.[2][6][7] It drastically improved the accuracy and effectiveness of anti-aircraft artillery, particularly against enemy aircraft and V-1 flying bombs.[6]
The proximity fuse project was highly classified during its development, and its successful implementation had a profound impact on the war effort.[2][3][8] Millions of proximity fuses were produced, with a significant portion of the U.S. electronics industry dedicated to their manufacture.[2] This effort also contributed to advancements in miniaturized electronics, laying the groundwork for future innovations in the electronics industry.[2]
Rotor played a critical role in refining the proximity fuse technology.[2][9][5] Her work involved complex calculations and applying her knowledge of physics and mathematics to solve various technical challenges such as limiting the vibration of the devices.[2][9]
She co-authored and published several scientific articles, including “Air Travel for Arming Covers” and “Measurement of Dynamic Propeller Unbalance,” which were cited in a 1946 summary report of the Ordinance Development Division’s work on proximity fuses.[3][9] Her supervisor, physicist William B. McLean, praised her as an exceptionally valuable member of the project and rated her performance as excellent.[2][3][9]
Additionally, Rotor conducted significant research on bomb trajectories. One of her notable contributions, co-authored with Albert G. Hoyem, was "Evaluation of the Toss Technique," which detailed the results of experiments to determine exact bomb trajectories.[3][9] This work was included in the 1946 publication "Bomb, Rocket, and Torpedo Tossing," a comprehensive collection of scientific articles.[3][9] Rotor’s meticulous oversight in reviewing and compiling the final publication was highly praised.[2][3][8][9][5] In a male-dominated field, she was the only woman among the authors.[3][8][9]
After World War II and the Japanese occupation of the Philippines ended, Rotor returned to the Philippines where she worked as a teacher and academic dean at Assumption College.[2][10][3]
Personal life
Emma Unson Rotor met her husband, Arturo Belleza Rotor, at a party in Manila.[4] After several years of friendship, they decided to marry in 1940.[4] Arturo was a renowned medical doctor, civil servant, musician, and writer, celebrated as one of the best Filipino short story writers of the twentieth century.[3] The couple did not have any children.[3][10] Emma enjoyed teaching, solving puzzles, and playing tennis and golf.[10][2]
References
- ^ a b "Emma Unson Rotor (1913-1998)". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Emma Unson Rotor: The Filipina Physicist Who Developed a Top Secret Weapon". lostwomenofscience.org. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Filipino math teacher Emma Rotor helped develop crucial WWII weapons tech". sciencenews.org. 2023-09-12. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g "May 23, 1942, page 6 - The Evening Sun at Baltimore Sun". Retrieved 2024-09-20 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Aguilar, Joshua. "Filipina teacher fused math with science to create WWII technology". The Crusader. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
- ^ a b c "Fuze, Proximity, Cutaway". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
- ^ a b Ellett, Alexander; Bush, Vannevar; Conant, James Bryant; United States. Office of Scientific Research and Development. National Defense Research Committee, issuing body; Columbia University. Division of War Research, organizer (1946). Radio proximity fuzes for fin-stabilized missiles. The Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. : Office of Scientific Research and Development, National Defense Research Committee, Division 4.
- ^ a b c Jon, Quincy (2023-09-13). "How a Filipino Math Teacher Helped Transform WWII Weaponry". Tech Times. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g h United States. Office of Scientific Research and Development. National Defense Research Committee, issuing body (1946). Bomb, rocket, and torpedo tossing. The Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. : Office of Scientific Research and Development, National Defense Research Committee, Division 4.
- ^ a b c Unson, Ria (2023-12-06). "My Lola Helped Change the Course of WWII". Positively Filipino. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
