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]
| Born | 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
editEmma Unson Rotor was born on May 18, 1913, in Manila, Philippines.[3] 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.[1] After she graduated, she worked as a mathematics instructor at the University of Santo Tomas for several years.[1][2][3] In October 1941, she moved to the United States to study physics at Johns Hopkins University.[3][2][1][4] However, the outbreak of World War II disrupted her plans.[1][2][4] Unable to access her Philippine government scholarship, she needed to work to support herself.[1][3][4] 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.[3][2][4]
Research and career
editIn 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).[1][2][4] 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.[2] Her work involved the design, construction, and testing of mechanical, electrical, and radio components for these devices.[2]
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.[2][1][5][6][4] This technology relied on radio waves to detect the proximity of a target and then trigger detonation.[1][5][6] It drastically improved the accuracy and effectiveness of anti-aircraft artillery, particularly against enemy aircraft and V-1 flying bombs.[5]
The proximity fuse project was highly classified during its development, and its successful implementation had a profound impact on the war effort.[1][2][7] Millions of proximity fuses were produced, with a significant portion of the U.S. electronics industry dedicated to their manufacture.[1] This effort also contributed to advancements in miniaturized electronics, laying the groundwork for future innovations in the electronics industry.[1]
Rotor played a critical role in refining the proximity fuse technology.[1][8][4] 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.[1][8]
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.[2][8] Her supervisor, physicist William B. McLean, praised her as an exceptionally valuable member of the project and rated her performance as excellent.[1][2][8]
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.[2][8] This work was included in the 1946 publication "Bomb, Rocket, and Torpedo Tossing," a comprehensive collection of scientific articles.[2][8] Rotor’s meticulous oversight in reviewing and compiling the final publication was highly praised.[1][2][7][8][4] In a male-dominated field, she was the only woman among the authors.[2][7][8]
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.[1][9][2]
Personal life
editEmma Unson Rotor met her husband, Arturo Belleza Rotor, at a party in Manila.[3] After several years of friendship, they decided to marry in 1940.[3] 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.[2] The couple did not have any children.[2][9] Emma enjoyed teaching, solving puzzles, and playing tennis and golf.[9][1]
References
edit- ^ 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.