Irene Caroline Diner Koenigsberger

Irene Caroline Diner Koenigsberger (September 21, 1896 – August 18, 1985) was an American chemist known for discovering a method for determining the lifespan of rubber products.

Early life and education

Koenigsberger was born in New York City, the daughter of Dr. Jacob Diner and Jeaneatte (née Dëlowe) Diner.[1] Her father, who was born in Russia with Jewish ancestry, founded and was the first dean of Fordham University's College of Pharmacy.[2] She had one brother, Milton, who became a New York City businessman.[1]

Koenigsberger was educated at Hunter College, from which she earned her bachelor's degree in 1917.[3] She continued on to earn her master's degree from Columbia University in 1918, and a doctorate in chemistry from New York University in 1921.[1]

In the course of her doctoral research into the molecular structure of rubber, Koenigsberger discovered a way to discern the lifespan of rubber products, particularly rubber tires.[4] Despite pressure from tire and automobile manufacturers for exclusive access, she declined to patent her discovery and chose instead to make the information publicly available.[1]

Career

After earning her doctorate, Koenigsberger worked for the United States Army's Chemical Warfare Service as an associate chemist.[1] In the 1930s, she was hired by the National Voice Amplifying Company as chief chemist, and went on to work for the United States War Department during World War II.[4]

Koenigsberger held membership with the American Chemical Society, and was a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists.[4]

Personal life

Koenigsberger married Lawrence Koenigsberger, a lawyer, in 1922, and eventually settled in Washington, D.C.[1]

She was a founding member and honorary vice president of Temple Sinai Washington.[4] She was also a founder and the first president of her local chapter of B'nai B'rith Women (now Jewish Women International) and started George Washington University Hillel.[1] She was also one of the founders of the Jewish Community Council of Greater Washington.[4]

Koenigsberger was the 1980 recipient of the Hunter College Distinguished Alumna Medal.[4]

References

1. "Irene Caroline Diner Koenigsberger". Jewish Women's Archive. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
2. Shen, Vivian. "Research Guides @ Fordham: Fordham's Dodransbicentennial - 175 years of Fordham: Famous Faculty of the Past". fordham.libguides.com. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
3. "IRENE KOENIGSBERGER, RESEARCHER IN RUBBER (Published 1985)". The New York Times. 1985-08-17. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
4. "Obituaries: United States". The American Jewish Year Book. 87: 436–445. 1987. ISSN 0065-8987. JSTOR 23603967.