Caroline Emilie Bleeker (1897-1985) studied mathematics and physics at Utrecht University. From 1919 on she worked as an assistant with various professors. On 5 November 1928 she received her PhD cum laude with a thesis on Emissie- en dispersiemetingen in de seriespectra der alkaliën [Measurements of emission and dispersion in the series spectra of alkaloids]. A year and a half later she started a physical consultancy and established a small factory in scientific apparatus a few months later. The factory prospered and in 1937, influenced by professor Frits Zernike, Lili Bleeker decided to take optical equipment into production. During World War II the factory had to close down, but after 1945 a new factory (NEDOPTIFA) was built in Zeist. This factory was the first in the world to produce the phase contrast microscope invented by Zernike. On 31 December 1963 she ended her work at the factory. Lili Bleeker successfully combined science, production and business; she can be considered a woman ahead of her time.