British engineer Hertha Marks Ayrton, the first woman to present "The Origin and Growth of Ripple Marks" to the Royal Society in 1904, turns 162 years old today. Screenshot image by Google.com

WASHINGTON, April 28 (UPI) -- Today marks the 162nd birthday of Hertha Marks Ayrton, the scientist who became the first woman to present her findings to the Royal Society in 1904.

Google dedicated Wednesday's homepage Doodle to the British engineer, mathematician, physicist and inventor in honor of the conclusion which made her famous.


Designed by Lydia Nichols, the illustration shows Ayrton framed by a board sampling her discovery regarding the origin of wave markings found in the sand. Included in the explanation for the piece is the rule which made Ayrton famous in the scientific community: "When a wave washes over sand, ripples will appear."

Ayrton, born in 1854, was rewarded the Hughes Medal by the Royal Society for her work. She also later presented her research in front of the British Association and the Physical Society. In 1919, she helped establish the International Federation of University Women and one year later, the National Union of Scientific Workers.

She died from an insect bite in 1923.