Irene Caroline Diner Koenigsberger
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Koenigsberger was born in New York City, the daughter of Dr. Jacob Diner and Jeaneatte (née Dëlowe) Diner.[1] Her father, who was born in Russia with Jewish ancestry, founded and was the first dean of Fordham University's College of Pharmacy.[2] She had one brother, Milton, who became a New York City businessman.[1]
Koenigsberger was educated at Hunter College, from which she earned her bachelor's degree in 1917.[3] She continued on to earn her master's degree from Columbia University in 1918, and a doctorate in chemistry from New York University in 1921.[1]
In the course of her doctoral research into the molecular structure of rubber, Koenigsberger discovered a way to discern the lifespan of rubber products, particularly rubber tires.[4] Despite pressure from tire and automobile manufacturers for exclusive access, she declined to patent her discovery and chose instead to make the information publicly available.[1]