Lanchester Interactive Archive: Timeline

Fred Born

Frederick born on 23rd October, 1868 in Lewisham Road, Lewisham, near London. Fred was the fourth child of nine.

Fred attends the Normal School of Science

Fred won a national scholarship to the Normal School of Science in South Kensington, London (later known as the Royal College of Science and now part of Imperial College). Fred left before his final exams with no formal qualifications.

Fred starts work in a Patent Office 

Fred started his first job, having left university without a paper qualification, as a draughtsman in a Patent Office.

Fred’s 1st Patent

Fred has his 1st patented invention accepted, for an Isometrograph (an instrument to draw parallel lines); hundreds more to follow.

Fred moves to Birmingham to work

Fred moves to Birmingham to start as Assistant Works Manager at the Forward Gas Engine Company, Saltley, Birmingham. He is later joined at the firm by his brother George, who becomes an apprentice. Fred creates syndicate leading to Lanchester Engine Co. Fred applies for 7 patents.

Flight Developments

Fred’s work with the Forward Gas Engine Company took him to the USA. On his transatlantic voyage he observed birds flying and gliding, which fed and developed his theories on flight.

Created Car. Cycle

Fred resigns from the Forward Gas Engine Company to concentrate on his own work and is replaced by George (but retains the post of Designer & Technical Adviser). Fred begins developing motor vehicles. Fred, George and Frank start the Lanchester Brothers bicycle company, manufacturing bicycle parts. The business was not viable and closed in 1894.

Early Interest in Flight

Fred became fascinated by gliders. He would launch models he built from the first floor window of his home to record and analyse their line of flight.

1st All-British Motor Car

Frank joins his brothers at the Forward Gas Engine Co. Fred patents aspects connected to the invention of colour photography. In December he drove the first all-British 4-wheel motor car on a public road in Taylor Street, Saltley, Birmingham.

Road Tested the Phaeton for the first time

The Lanchester brothers road tested the Stanhope Phaeton motorcar for the first time.

Fred Patents 2 different types of flying machines

George resigns from Forward to work for Fred. Fred patented invention of 2 different types of aeroplane, to include many profound features- elliptical wings, contra props, wing plates. Invents 1st accelerator pedal on cars.

Lanchester Engine Company formed

The brothers form the Lanchester Engine Company, developing motor cars incorporating Fred’s designs. Frank qualifies as Car Demonstrator.

1st Production Car

The first production Lanchester car was built; the 10hp.

Crystal Palace Film

Lanchester test driver Archie Millership famously drove the 10hp car up the steps in front of the Crystal Palace, to demonstrate low gearing.

1st Production Car Launched

Lanchester Motor Company’s first production was laucnhed; the four-cylinder 20hp.

Driving Goggles

George patents his invention of driving goggles – the only remaining set are in Lanchester Collection.

1st Principles of Flight. Aerodynamics  Publication

Fred published his profound book “aerodynamics”, which detailed his analusis and theories on flight.

Aerodonetics Published  Publication

Fred published “Aerodonetics” his second book on flight, which together with “Aerodynamics” became volumes 1 and 2 of “Aerial Flight” Fred receives the Bronze Medal award for his paper at the Aeronautical Society.

Omnibus. Fred at BSA, Daimler

Fred was appointed consultant to Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA). Fred invented monocoque construction (where the chassis is integral with the body) and 4-wheel brakes on commercial vehicles. Developed first omnibus with forward-facing seats. Improved car engine balancing by means of crankshaft vibration damper.

Armoured Cars

Lanchester Motor Company designed and manufactured armoured cars for the Ministry of Defence. They were sent to Belgium, used to rescue pilots after the battle of Ypres and later used on airfields in Britain. The company also produced staff cars, trucks and over 450 aero-engines for use in the war effort.

Aircraft in Warfare book Published  Publication

Fred published his controversial paper ‘Aircraft in Warfare; the dawn of the fourth arm’, which calculated the power of air attacks in war. It was used in many countries and later converted into a business strategy, and is still in use as such today.

Hon Dr.

Fred was granted an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws by the University of Birmingham. It was his first formal qualification. Friends later referred to him as ‘Doctor Fred’.

Fred Marries

Fred married Dorothea Cooper (1898-1978), the niece of his voice tutor.

Began Exporting Cars  Publication

Fred publishes his theories in response to Einstein’s 1915 Theory of Relativity. Lanchesters became first British company to export cars.

Fuel Injection. Wooden Car

Fred build his mark Three wooden car, the engine complete with a form of petrol injection. Fred patents basic form of fuel injection.

40hp World Records. Wolseley

The Lanchester 40hp chassis used for racing purposes won 47 world records at Brooklands. Fred becomes a consultant to Wolseley.

40hp Maharajas

The 40hp Lanchester car was bought and used by the Maharajas of Nawanagar, Newa, Rajkot and Kolapur, as well as being used to drive the Prince of Wales in 1923 and the Duke of York in 1925. It was acclaimed at the time as being ‘the most completely equipped and luxurious of carriages in the world’.

Dyott End

Fred designed and built a house (Dyott End) for himself and Dorothea in Moseley, Birmingham, where they lived for the rest of their lives.

Lanchester’s Laboratories ltd.

Fred formed a new venture called Lanchester Laboratories Ltd, in partnership with Daimler. The company later produced sound equipment including speakers and radios designed by Fred, which were available by mail order. The Lanchester Company was the 1st European company to use cellulose paint.

Princess Elizabeth

Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen, made her first public appearance – in a Lanchester 40hp limousine, one of three bought by her father, the future King George VI.

Armoured Cars

Lanchester was the first company to build purpose-designed armoured cars, rather than using lorry chassis. These were later used in World War Two.

Eyesight Failing

Fred began experiments on eyesight, working with Robert Lockhart, Professor of Anatomy at the University of Birmingham (later Aberdeen).

BSA Buy-Out

Lanchester Motor Company was bought out by Birmingham Small Arms Ltd and managed by another BSA firm Daimler to save it from liquidation. It relocates to Daimler factory in Radford, Coventry. George Lanchester stays Chief Engineer. Frank transfers to London Sales Department.

Poetry and Verse  Publication

Fred published ‘Lakeland Story’ under his pseudonym of Paul Netherton-Herries. Fred published his theories on Relativity.

Fred diagnosed with Parkinson’s

Fred was diagnosed with Parkinson’s a progressive neurological condition that affects movement.

Musical Scale  Publication

Fred Published his “Musical Scale”.

Lanchester Carbine

George designed and manufactured the Lanchester Sub-Machine Gun; used by British and other navies.

Fred Dies

Fred died on 8th March following 2 strokes. His ashes were buried with his parents’ in West Sussex.

HM Queen

HM the Queen orders a Lanchester 14hp saloon for her own use.

Last Lanchester Car

The last Lanchester car is built, at Radford in Coventry. Lanchester Motor Company remains a dormant company.