Two Photograph Archive from the 1920s of Female Scientists Conducting Lab Experiments

Women in Science, Photographs

Photo Archive

[Women in Science] Archive of two photos of women doing experiments in science laboratories in the early 1920s. Two silver gelatin photos of various sizes. The first photo is of of female students conducting experiments in a chemistry lab at Northwestern University. Three women students and their instructor cook an egg through chemical reaction of liquid oxygen and ice. 8 x 10 in. Original press caption pasted to verso: “Frying And [sic] Egg Over Burning Ice. Using liquid oxygen for fuel, and the hollow of a block of ice for a container, Miss Virginia Trelease, Chemistry student at Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., is here pictured frying an egg over the unique stove. A cupful of liquid oxygen made in a Heylandt liquefier, which has been used for the first time in America by Northwestern, permits the manufacture of liquid oxygen right in the classroom, in full sight of the students [sic].” Northwestern University first admitted women students in 1869 and educated hundreds of women in their college and the affiliated Women’s Medical College. The third photo is of a woman scientist working at laboratory table next to male colleague. Test tubes, beakers, petri dishes, and various pieces of equipment cover the work table. 3.25 x 4.5 in. Dated in pencil verso 10/2/23. The man is smoking a pipe while working with pipette; the woman is organizing specimen vials. Hand of a third figures can be seen handing laboratory equipment along center left edge. Handwritten press information in a Nordic language on verso, stating this is a bacteriological laboratory. The latter part of the 19th century saw a rise in educational opportunities for women, and by the early 20th century women worked in many different fields related to science and medicine. Both photos in very good condition.

Item #17542

Price: $350.00