Engines and Enterprises: The life and work of Sir Harry Ricardo

Beginning with an account of Sir Harry's family background and education at Rugby and Cambridge, this book traces his life's work through six decades. This period witnessed profound changes in the social and industrial fabric of Great Britain, brought about by the arrival of the very motor cars and airplanes that he championed so enthusiastically. During that time, as a consultant engineer, he played a vital role in bringing about British victory in two world wars. Yet because he always preferred the role of an independent consultant, his name was never directly connected with any specific make of car or airplane. Nonetheless, his efforts behind the scenes for such companies as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Citroen and Fiat led to innumerable advances in the performance of civilian and military engines during the inter-war years. He died in 1974, having seen Ricardo Consulting Engineers grow to become the world's foremost engine research establishment. The company continues to go from strength to strength as one of the last successful vestiges of the British motor industry that remains in British ownership.