Charles Sangster (inventor)

Charles Sangster (born May 16, 1872 in Aberdeen , † March 18, 1935 in Birmingham ) was a British inventor and entrepreneur.

Life

After primary school, Sangster went to King's College London and began training as a mechanic at a bicycle manufacturer . Sangster was a good cyclist and won several prizes in races. In 1893 he moved to The New Howe Machine Co. in Glasgow and then to Rudge in Coventry . In 1895, Sangster designed a new bike called Swift for the Coventry Machinists Co. , which attracted general attention and made Sangster famous for its well-designed execution.

With the financial resources he received, Sangster set up his own business and founded Cycle Components Mfg in 1895 with two partners . Co. , which manufactured sleeves. At that time, Sangster began making its own bicycles called Ariel . In 1897 bicycles of this brand were used by world champions in cycling and quickly became an economic success. Sangster used the latest developments on his bikes, such as a reflective taillight or endless rims. Between 1893 and 1908, Sangster filed 145 patents.

After the Red Flag Act in Great Britain was repealed in 1896 , Sangster bought a De Dion Bouton tricycle , from which he developed and marketed the Ariel tricycle in 1898 .

Charles Sangster was Managing Director of Components and Ariel for about 30 years. He was also on the board of directors of the Swift Group and held managerial positions at Rover Cycle Co. , Midland Tube & Forging Co. and Endless Rim Co.

Sangster had two sons. The older one died in World War I. The younger, Jack Sangster , later became managing director of Ariel Motors.

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• Cycle and Motor Cycle Trader , March 1935 and December 1940