Abel Wolman was an American inventor, scientist, professor and pioneer of modern sanitary engineering. His work in supplying clean water spanned eight decades. He was born on June 10, 1892 in Baltimore, Maryland USA. He was a graduate of Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1915. His first full-time job after graduation was as an Assistant Engineer with the Maryland Department of Public Health, a position he held until 1922. Wolman became Editor of the American Water Works Association's Journal AWWA in 1919 and was responsible for making it into a monthly publication in 1924. The Association presents the Abel Wolman Award of Excellence each year to recognize those whose careers in the water works industry exemplify vision, creativity, and excellent professional performance characteristic of Wolman's long and productive career. He received the National Medal Of Science in 1974.