Charles Stewart Rolls English motorist, aviator, one of the founders of the Rolls Royce company Date of Birth: 28.08.1877 Country: Great Britain

1. Charles Stewart Rolls: A Pioneer in Aviation and Automobile Industry
2. Early Career and Achievements
3. Founding of Rolls-Royce
4. Aviation Career

Charles Stewart Rolls: A Pioneer in Aviation and Automobile Industry

Charles Stewart Rolls was an English motorist, aviator, and entrepreneur, best known as one of the founders of Rolls-Royce. Born in London, Charles was the youngest of four children of wealthy homeowner Colonel John Rolls, Baron Llangattock. However, he grew up in the family estate near Monmouth. After receiving a secondary education at Eton and an engineering education at Cambridge, Rolls became fascinated with automobiles and became the third motorist in Wales.

Early Career and Achievements

In 1896, Rolls acquired his first car, a Peugeot Phaeton, which was the first car in Cambridge. He led a protest to abolish the speed limit of 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h) and successfully achieved its threefold increase. In 1903, he set a national speed record of 93 miles per hour. The same year, he founded a company in London selling French automobiles.

Founding of Rolls-Royce

In 1904, Rolls met engineer Henry Royce, and in 1906, they established the Rolls-Royce manufacturing company. Royce handled the engineering side of the business, while Rolls focused on finances and sales. From 1907 onwards, Rolls-Royce automobiles began to participate and succeed in races, earning a reputation that still exists today.

Aviation Career

Rolls started flying in hot air balloons in 1898, completing 170 flights. In 1903, he became a co-founder of the Royal Aero Club. However, it was not until early 1910 that Rolls seriously pursued aviation, temporarily stepping away from his role at Rolls-Royce. In the spring of 1910, he obtained the second pilot's license in the country, following John Moore. On July 2, 1910, Rolls set a record for the fastest flight across the English Channel and back, surpassing Louis Blériot's achievement. On July 10, 1910, Rolls installed new horizontal rudders on his French-built Wright biplane. Sadly, on July 12, 1910, the airplane crashed in the air near Bournemouth, just 20 feet (6 m) above the ground, resulting in Rolls' untimely death. He became the first British victim of an aviation accident.

Charles Stewart Rolls made significant contributions to both the automobile and aviation industries. His pioneering spirit and determination continue to inspire generations of inventors and entrepreneurs.