Papers relating to F.W.Lanchester

Copies of Lanchester's account of his time at the Hartley Institution; a typescript account of his life; patent specifications; photographs of inventions, cars, and one of himself; drawings; papers and books; six medals; and centenary lectures, 1968.

Frederick William Lanchester (1868-1946), FRS, LLD, was educated privately, at the Hartley Institution, Southampton, and, on gaining a national scholarship, at the Royal College of Science. He worked as assistant manager and then manager at Messrs. T.B.Baker of Saltey, Birmingham, during which period he was engaged in the development of the gas engine. In 1894 Lanchester commenced the construction of his experimental motor car and in the next five years devised many ingenious devices. In 1899 he founded the Lanchester Company and acted as manager, 1899-1904; designer and technical adviser, 1904-14. Lanchester was consultant and technical adviser to Daimler and BSA Companies, 1910-30; consulting engineer to Breadmore (diesel department), 1928-30; and member of the Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, 1909-20.

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