Provided by Wikipedia Rebecca "Becky" Hall Sparling, P.E. (née Hall; June 7, 1910 – 1996) was an American materials engineer and registered mechanical engineer in the manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace industries from the 1930s to the late 1960s, who had "established a nation-wide reputation as a metallurgist". Often working on classified projects, Sparling advanced the field of metallurgy in severe environments and developed non-destructive engineering test methods, especially in brittle, high-strength, or specialized materials.
Sparling developed a new, non-destructive liquid penetrant method for defect inspection, and she also co-invented a non-destructive ultrasonic immersion technique called “immersed scanning”. She was a key contributor in drafting the early industry standards for non-destructive test methods that paved the way for evaluating engineering functionality without destroying the part. Non-destructive test methods became ubiquitous as an important time and money-saver for expensive prototypes.
Sparling also wrote 14 of the 16 chapters of the 1943–1944 revised edition of the American Malleable Iron handbook for the Malleable Founders' Society. It became a reference book for those working on iron castings. During her career, Sparling – a licensed mechanical engineer in California – worked at foundries, consulted for automotive companies, and was a materials engineer and staff consultant for Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics, respectively. She retired from General Dynamics.
The Society of Women Engineers recognized her specialty in high-temperature metallurgy when awarding her their highest honor, the Engineering Achievement Award, in 1957.
