Sibyl M. Rock

Sibyl Martha Rock
Operating an ElectroData computer, 1955
Born	(1909-08-01)August 1, 1909 Butte, Montana, United States
Died	November 17, 1981(1981-11-17) (aged 72) Los Angeles, California, United States
Nationality	American
Fields	Mass spectrometry
Institutions	Consolidated Engineering Corporation
Alma mater	University of California, Los Angeles (B.S., Mathematics, 1931)

Sibyl Martha Rock (August 1, 1909 – November 17, 1981) was a pioneer in mass spectrometry and computing. Rock was a key person in Consolidated Engineering Corporation's (CEC) mass spectrometry team at a time when mass spectrometers were first being commercialized for use by researchers and scientists. Rock was instrumental in developing mathematical techniques for analyzing the results from mass spectrometers, in developing an analog computer with Clifford Berry for analysis of equations, and in sustaining an ongoing dialog between engineers and customers involved in development of both the mass spectrometer and an early digital computer, CEC's Datatron.

Sibyl M. Rock was born on August 1, 1909 in Butte, Montana. Her father was a telephone technician, which may have interested her in technology. She earned a degree in Mathematics from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1931. While at UCLA, she was president of the local chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, the national mathematics society. She also received a Phi Beta Kappa key.

Rock was employed as a "geophysical computer" in the petroleum industry, first at Rieber Laboratories, and then in 1938 at Herbert Hoover, Jr.'s newly formed United Geophysical Corporation. She transferred into United's engineering and instrument subsidiary, Consolidated Engineering Corporation, when they began to develop the mass spectrometer as a commercial product. The first 21-101 Mass Spectrometer was delivered in December 1942. Sibyl Rock worked in the CEC research group with employees such as Harold Wiley, manager for Chemical Instruments, Harold Washburn, and Clifford Berry. In 1947, she joined the sales department. In sales, she worked closely with people at chemical and refining companies who were potential customers for the mass spectrometer and early digital computers, identifying their needs and concerns. People such as Seymour Meyerson, who worked for Standard Oil of Indiana, were active contributors to Rock's CEC Users' Group. Rock transferred again in 1952, to the organization's newly formed computer division. As of 1953, she was "in charge of sales and application functions of the Computer Division" with the title "Acting Manager, Application Service" and was the first female sales engineer of ElectroData Corporation.