Geoffrey de Havilland
Geoffrey de Havilland founded an important British aircraft manufacturer.
The first aircraft de Havilland designed was a biplane with two pusher propellers and a 33.5 kW (45 hp)-engine. It flew once in December 1909. De Havilland then designed a Farman-type biplane sold as an "F.E. 1" to the British War Office. In 1911 he issued a model called the F.E. 2 "with an angular nacelle for the pilot." It was further developed at "the government's works at Farnborough" for World War I. De Havilland led a team at Farnborough to develop other aircraft called the "Royal Aircraft Factory types." For his other WWI aircraft, see Airco.[1]
Our patent data has him early on as a Mechanical Engineer located at Crux Easton, Whitchurch, Hants.[2]
We have de Havilland specifically as an Aeronautical Engineer, of Woodcote, Edgware, in the County of Middlesex, filling in collaboration with George Holt Thomas and Alfred Herbert Wilde. George Holt Thomas is at this point designated as Director of the Aircraft Manufacturing Co.[3] We have de Havilland as one among many inventors with whom Thomas co-filed. We are looking into the idea that Thomas played somewhat of a corporate role, with innovation residing more in the hands of the "lesser" filers.
Patents whose inventor or applicant is Geoffrey de Havilland
- Patent GB-1910-17844 (English title: Adjustable Propellers or Screws specially suitable for Aerial Craft, Filing date: 1910-07-27)
- Patent BE-1916-276166 (English title: Improvements in airplane control apparatus, Filing date: 1916-11-16)
- Patent FR-1916-494088 (English title: Improvements in control apparatus for airplanes, Filing date: 1916-11-27)
- Patent GB-1917-120057 (English title: Improvements in Crank-pin Bearings for Connecting-rods, Filing date: 1917-08-24)
Publications by or about Geoffrey de Havilland
- Bamfourth, Catherine Jill, Abbott, Malcolm, Entrepreneurs of the sky: Case studies on entrepreneurial learning from the early British aviation industry, 2019 (Simple title: Entrepreneurs of the sky: Case studies on entrepreneurial learning from the early British aviation industry)
References
- w:Geoffrey de Havilland
- Catherine Jill Bamforth; Malcolm Abbott. 2019. Entrepreneurs of the sky: Case studies on entrepreneurial learning from the early British aviation industry, Business History, DOI: 10.1080/00076791.2019.1579196 -- With comparison of four quick-learning and successful pioneers and entrepreneurs of British aviation, this study illustrates the relevance of "communities of practice established through apprenticeships, airshows and hobby groups" which gave these newcomers "access to resources and knowledge that allowed them to effectively learn."
| Names | Geoffrey de Havilland |
|---|---|
| Birth date | |
| Death date | |
| Countries | GB |
| Locations | Farnborough; of Woodcote, Edgware, in the County of Middlesex; Crux Easton, Whitchurch, Hants |
| Occupations | aircraft designer, Aeronautical Engineer, Mechanical engineer |
| Tech areas | Design |
| Affiliations | Airco |
| Wikidata id |
