While most of the world would be seeing the third doodle on FIFA World Cup on Friday, Indians and Germans were offered an artwork of a woman trying various glass lenses. This woman is Germany-born Marga Faulstich, whose 103rd birth anniversary is today.
Berlin-based artist Sophia Martineck designed Saturday's doodle visible only in India and Germany, with a caricature of Marga Faulstich inspecting lenses surrounding her. The letters of Google are seen as reflections and refractions from various glass products that are surrounding her.
Marga is one of the pioneers in the field of optical glasses. She has over 40 patents registered in her name and her findings as a glass chemist still form the basis of making sunglasses, anti-reflective lenses, and glass facades.
Marga Faulstich was born on June 16, 1915, in Weimar, Germany. Marga's obtained her early education from Jena, a city known from research and development. On completion of her high school Marga joined Schott AG, a company that manufactures and develops glass and glass ceramics. Marga was inducted into the research department where she quickly climbed the career ladder to become the first woman executive of the company.
Marga's research focussed on developing thin-film optics, with focus on microscopes and binoculars. She is credited with developing the 'SF 64' lens, which is used in light-weight spectacles. Her invention earned her the IR100 award from the American Industrial Research Council for the 100 most significant new technical products.
The Second World War took a toll on Marga. She lost her fiance in the War. She had to relocate from Jena to Mainz after the former fell to the Soviet Union forces. But Marga continued to work for Schott. She was associated with the company for 44 years. Post-retirement, Marga spent her days touring countries and giving lectures about her field.
Marga passed away February 1, 1998, when she was 82.