New Delhi: Google on Monday (December 12, 2022) celebrated the life and innovative work of Dr Maria Telcs, one of the first pioneers of solar energy, with a special Doodle. On this day in 1952, Telcs received The Society of Women Engineers Achievement Award. Born in 1900 in Budapest, Hungary, Telcs studied physical chemistry at Budapest’s Eötvös Lörand University. He graduated with a BA in 1920 and received his PhD in 1924. She then moved to the United States and accepted a position as a biophysicist. In 1937, she became an American citizen.
In 1948, after receiving private funding from philanthropists, he built the Dover Sun House in partnership with architect Eleanor Raymond. The solar-heated house was a success and the women were featured in the media, popularizing the term ‘solar energy’ among the public.
“Dr. Telx’s inspiring career was full of success and innovation. He was hired by the Ford Foundation and created a solar oven design that is still used today,” Google said.
Celebrating ‘The Sun Queen’ Maria Telkes with TODAY #Google Doodle Whose brilliant (read: suntilting) achievements in solar technologies helped pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future pic.twitter.com/wQGun4ISfA— Google India (@GoogleIndia) December 12, 2022
Telkes also helped research solar energy at prestigious institutions such as NYU, Princeton University and the University of Delaware.
He earned more than 20 patents and served as a consultant for several energy companies.
“It’s no wonder she is remembered as The Sun Queen,” Google said.
