Maria Telkes devoted most of her life to solar energy research, investigating and designing solar ovens, solar stills, and solar electric generators. She was responsible for the heating system installed in the first solar-heated home, located in Dover, Massachusetts. The importance of Telkes's work has been recognized by numerous awards and honors, including the Society of Women Engineers Achievement Award in 1952 (Telkes was the first recipient) and the Charles Greely Abbot Award from the American Section of the International Solar Energy Society.

Maria de Telkes, the daughter of Aladar and Maria Laban de Telkes, was born in Budapest, Hungary, on December 12, 1900. She grew up in Budapest and remained there to complete her high school and college education. Studying physical chemistry at Budapest University, she obtained a B.A. degree in 1920, then a Ph.D. in 1924. The following year, on a visit to her uncle in the United States...