Dorothy Lilian Pile (26 July 1902 – 1 February 1993) was a British

metallurgist Metallurgy is a domain of materials science and engineering that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their inter-metallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are known as alloys. Metallurgy encompasses both the ...

, first woman to be admitted to the

Institution of Metallurgists The Institution of Metallurgists was a British professional association for metallurgists, largely involved in the iron and steel industry. History It was founded in 1945. The inaugural meeting was held on 28 November 1945; the organization was fo ...

and past president of the

Women's Engineering Society The Women's Engineering Society is a United Kingdom professional learned society and networking body for women engineers, scientists and technologists. It was the first professional body set up for women working in all areas of engineering, pred ...

Early life

Dorothy Lilian Pile was born in Yorkshire on 26 July 1902.

Career

In 1920 Pile's first job was as at the Midland Laboratory Guild Ltd. where her father was the chief metallurgist. Her role was in the chemical laboratory as an assistant working on physical testing and

metallography Metallography is the study of the physical structure and components of metals, by using microscopy. Ceramic and polymeric materials may also be prepared using metallographic techniques, hence the terms ceramography, plastography and, collecti ...

before she became more involved in

sheet metal Sheet metal is metal formed into thin, flat pieces, usually by an industrial process. Thicknesses can vary significantly; extremely thin sheets are considered foil (metal), foil or Metal leaf, leaf, and pieces thicker than 6 mm (0.25 ...

research. In 1949, Pile was appointed as a metallurgist at the Design and Research Centre of the Gold, Silver and Jewellery Trade, in London and later became an industrial liaison officer.

Professional memberships

Pile was the first woman to become a member of the

in 1946. Later in 1983 she also became the first woman to be awarded honorary fellowship. As a thank you she presented the institution with a presidential tankard which is still held by the IOM3 Historical Collection. Pile was an active member of the Birmingham Metallurgical Association and in 1949 she was elected president. Pile was the first woman to become president of any British metallurgical societies. Pile became the president of the

(WES) in 1954, succeeding

Ella Mary Collin Ella Mary Collin (15 July 1903 – 1 February 1973) was a metallurgical chemist who worked in research for the British Launderer's Research Association, as well as in education. She was President of the Women's Engineering Society (WES), after ...

in the role. Pile's successor as president was

Kathleen Mary Cook Kathleen Mary Cook (25 August 1910–1971) was a mechanical engineer who was president of the Women's Engineering Society from 1955–1956. Her father, P. V. Cook, who was also a mechanical engineer, worked with the earliest aeroplane engines. ...

. Pile presented WES with a President's Medal on 29th August 1964, featuring the organisation's logo at the time in green enamel. Pile had various other roles and memberships to industrial societies and would often be the only woman in attendance at society dinners. She is known to have been referred to as the "metallurgical aunt" at such events.

References

{{reflist 1902 births 1993 deaths British women engineers British metallurgists Women's Engineering Society