Yvonne Odic

Yvonne Odic (6 July 1890 - 20 January 1983) was a French mechanical engineer. She is remembered for developing special steels in a Paris factory during the First World War at a time when it was unusual for women to work as engineers in industry.

In early 2026, Odic was confirmed to be one of the 72 women to have their names added to those of the men already engraved on the Eiffel Tower.

Early life and education Yvonne Justine Jeanne Charlotte Odic was born on 6 July 1890 in Harfleur, Normandy. She was one of five siblings and her father worked as a tax collector. In 1906 she won a national merit boarding school scholarship of 400 francs.

Alongside her university studies, she helped install X-ray equipment at the Bon-Pasteur Hospital and worked for the city of Nancy's meteorological service.

Career Odic was working for Citroen at the start of World War One.

In France, the end of the war in 1917–1918 marked a turning point. Newspapers of the time described Yvonne Odic as the first female engineer, who had just earned her engineering degree from the Institut Electro-Technique de Nancy, a dynamic institute founded in 1900.

She was concerned about the conditions of those working in factories, and offered them lessons in mathematics and rhythmic gymnastics.

Recognition In 2026, Odic was announced as one of 72 historical women in STEM whose names have been proposed to be added to the 72 men already celebrated on the Eiffel Tower. The plan was announced by the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, following the recommendations of a committee led by Isabelle Vauglin of Femmes et Sciences and Jean-François Martins, representing the operating company which runs the Eiffel Tower.