11 Facts About Winifred Hackett

Winifred Hackett was an electrical and aeronautical engineer who worked on guided weapon systems and the DEUCE computer.

Winifred Hackett attended King Edward's Girls' High School in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Winifred Hackett was an exceptional student and won a scholarship whilst at the school.

Winifred Hackett originally planned to study architecture and for a time attended UCL with this purpose, but decided to change academic direction, returning to Birmingham to study engineering instead.

In 1929 Winifred Hackett was the first woman to graduate from the University of Birmingham with an engineering degree, and won the prize for the 'Best Engineer in the University of Birmingham' in 1930.

Winifred Hackett encouraged colleagues, including Miriam Violet Griffith, to join the Women's Engineering Society.

Winifred Hackett was in charge of the DEUCE computer and its programming on punched cards and paper tape.

The period when Winifred Hackett ran the guided weapons division saw the development of the Thunderbird surface to air missile and other ballistic missiles.

Winifred Hackett became the President of the Women's Engineering Society in 1946, succeeding Margaret Partridge in the role.

Winifred Hackett was a member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers.

Winifred Hackett's interests included fashion and the theatre, and very accurate map reading.