Elisa Leonida Zamfirescu

World's first female engineer who revolutionized geology and chemical analysis techniques

Elisa Leonida Zamfirescu (1887-1973) made history as the world's first female engineering graduate, earning her degree from Berlin's Royal Technical Academy in 1912. Despite initial university rejections due to gender bias, this Romanian pioneer developed innovative methods for:

• Analyzing mineral water composition
• Identifying new petroleum sources
• Creating synthetic rubber alternatives

During WWI, she managed Bucharest's first geological laboratory, introducing spectrographic analysis to Romania. Zamfirescu later taught physics/chemistry while developing sustainable coal extraction techniques still used in Romanian mines.

Her 1925 discovery of Bleoberis stella mineral classification methods revolutionized ore analysis. As the first female member of General Association of Romanian Engineers, she mentored generations of female STEM students despite fascist-era restrictions.

Today, Romania celebrates her legacy through Politehnica University's Elisa Leonida Award and Bucharest's engineering high school bearing her name - timeless reminders that engineering has no gender.