Mary Engle Pennington

American bacteriological chemist and refrigeration engineer

Born: October 8, 1872 · Died: December 27, 1952

Famous Persons

Who was Mary Engle Pennington?

Mary Engle Pennington (October 8, 1872 – December 27, 1952) was an American bacteriological chemist, food scientist and refrigeration engineer. Pennington was born in Nashville, Tennessee, to Henry and Sarah Malony Pennington. Shortly after her birth, her parents moved to Philadelphia to be closer to her mother's Quaker relatives. She walked to the University of Pennsylvania and asked a professor for help with the terminology she did not understand. She is an inductee of the National Inventor's Hall of Fame, the National Women's Hall of Fame and the ASHRAE Hall of Fame. She became interested in chemistry at the age of 12 after reading a library book on medicinal chemistry. She was told to come back when she was older.

Historical significance

She was an innovator in the preservation, handling, storage, and transportation of perishable foods and the first female lab chief at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. She was awarded 5 patents (3 of which were shared), received the Notable Service Medal from President Herbert Hoover, and received the Garvin-Olin Medal from the American Chemical Society. She was awarded 5 patents, received the Notable Service Medal from President Herbert Hoover, and received the Garvin-Olin Medal from the American Chemical Society.

Pennington on a railcar in 1910 collecting food samples

Sources and further reading

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“Mary Engle Pennington.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/mary-engle-pennington/. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

APA

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Chicago

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