George J. Mead: Difference between revisions
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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Mead worked for well over a year at Sterling Engine Company of [[Buffalo, NY]]. His next job was with the [[Crane-Simplex]] company of New Brunswick, NJ, builders of the Simplex automobile. [[Crane-Simplex]] later merged with the [[Wright Aeronautical|Wright-Martin Aeronautical Corporation]] where Mead was in charge of the experimental division of the engineering department. In 1919 he became chief engineer of what was now the [[Wright Aeronautical Corporation]] upon the resignation of Henry Crane. |
Mead worked for well over a year at Sterling Engine Company of [[Buffalo, NY]]. His next job was with the [[Crane-Simplex]] company of New Brunswick, NJ, builders of the Simplex automobile. [[Crane-Simplex]] later merged with the [[Wright Aeronautical|Wright-Martin Aeronautical Corporation]] where Mead was in charge of the experimental division of the engineering department.<ref>Mead, Cary Hoge, Wings Over the World, Swannet Press, 1971, p.15</ref> In 1919 he became chief engineer of what was now the [[Wright Aeronautical Corporation]] upon the resignation of Henry Crane. |
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In late 1924, internal disagreements at Wright resulted in the resignation of President [[Fred Rentschler]]. In 1925, Rentschler obtained financing to start [[Pratt & Whitney|Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Corporation]] in the existing factory of the [[Pratt & Whitney Measurement Systems|Pratt & Whitney Tool Company]] in [[Hartford, CT]], and Mead left [[Wright Aeronautical]] to join [[Fred Rentschler]] as the Vice President of Engineering. |
In late 1924, internal disagreements at Wright resulted in the resignation of President [[Fred Rentschler]]. In 1925, Rentschler obtained financing to start [[Pratt & Whitney|Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Corporation]] in the existing factory of the [[Pratt & Whitney Measurement Systems|Pratt & Whitney Tool Company]] in [[Hartford, CT]], and Mead left [[Wright Aeronautical]] to join [[Fred Rentschler]] as the Vice President of Engineering. |
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Revision as of 02:44, 24 January 2011
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (January 2011) |
George Jackson Mead (December 27, 1891 Everett, Massachusetts - January 20, 1949 Hartford, Connecticut)
George J. Mead was best known as one of the chief founding team members, together with Frederick B. Rentschler, as Vice President of Engineering of Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in 1925, currently a division of United Technologies Corporation.
Early Life
George J. Mead was born in Everett, Massachusetts on December 27, 1891 to Dr. George Nathaniel Plumer Mead and Jennie Henrietta Mathilda LeMann Mead.[1]
He graduated from the Choate School in Wallingford, CT in 1911 and attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but left in 1915 without graduating, owing to health problems.[2]
Career
Mead worked for well over a year at Sterling Engine Company of Buffalo, NY. His next job was with the Crane-Simplex company of New Brunswick, NJ, builders of the Simplex automobile. Crane-Simplex later merged with the Wright-Martin Aeronautical Corporation where Mead was in charge of the experimental division of the engineering department.[3] In 1919 he became chief engineer of what was now the Wright Aeronautical Corporation upon the resignation of Henry Crane.
In late 1924, internal disagreements at Wright resulted in the resignation of President Fred Rentschler. In 1925, Rentschler obtained financing to start Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Corporation in the existing factory of the Pratt & Whitney Tool Company in Hartford, CT, and Mead left Wright Aeronautical to join Fred Rentschler as the Vice President of Engineering.
At Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, Mead led the development program for their first engine, completed on Christmas Eve, 1925. The 425 hp (317 kW) R-1340 Wasp easily passed its official qualification test in March 1926, and the Navy ordered 200 engines. The speed, climb, performance, and reliability that the engine offered revolutionized American aviation. Subsequently, he led the development programs of the more powerful R-1690 Hornet and several other series of air-cooled radial aircraft engines.
Awards
In 1946, Mead was presented the Medal for Merit for his efforts in the development of aircraft engines used in World War II.
References
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Connors, Jack (2010). The Engines of Pratt & Whitney: A Technical History. Reston. Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. ISBN 978-1-60086-711-8.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Mead, Cary Hoge. Wings Over The World - The Life of George Jackson Mead. The Swannet Press, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, 1971. Library of Congress Catalog Number: 74-141967.