U.S. patent 2,493,745, “Electrical Indicator of Mechanical Expansion,” co‑invented with Vincent J. Schaefer, is issued to Katharine Burr Blodgett.
On January 10, 1950, Katharine Burr Blodgett, together with co‑inventor Vincent J. Schaefer, was issued U.S. patent 2,493,745 for an “Electrical Indicator of Mechanical Expansion.” This device translated small mechanical changes—such as thermal expansion or strain in a material—into measurable electrical signals.
Developed within the General Electric Research Laboratory, the invention addressed practical measurement challenges in industrial and scientific contexts, where precise monitoring of dimensional changes is critical for safety and performance. By designing an indicator that could be coupled to components and read electrically, Blodgett and Schaefer contributed to the broader trend toward electronic instrumentation and automated sensing in mid‑20th‑century engineering.
This patent is significant as an example of Blodgett’s versatility beyond surface films and optics. It demonstrates her ability to collaborate across disciplines and tackle problems in mechanical measurement and electrical engineering, strengthening the toolkit available for materials testing and process control. Issued on Blodgett’s 52nd birthday, the patent symbolizes the mature phase of her research career, in which she combined deep theoretical insight with practical inventiveness, while continuing to be a rare woman recognized on major industrial patents.