Christopher Cockerell English engineer, inventor of the hovercraft Date of Birth: 04.06.1910 Country: Great Britain

1. Early Life and Education
2. Career at Marconi
3. Invention of the Hovercraft
4. Government Support and the SR-N1
5. Public Debut and Recognition
6. Later Career and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Sir Christopher Sydney Cockerell was born on June 4, 1910, in Cambridge, England. His father, Sir Sydney Cockerell, was the director of the Fitzwilliam Museum. Christopher attended Gresham's School in Holt and later studied engineering at Peterhouse College, Cambridge University, where he was taught by William Dobson Womersley.

Career at Marconi

After graduating, Cockerell began his career at W. H. Allen & Sons in Bedford. He returned to Cambridge in 1934 to study radio and electronics, then joined the Radio Research Company (RRC). In 1935, he became an employee of Guglielmo Marconi's company. Cockerell married Elinor Belsham and continued working for Marconi until 1951, contributing to the development of various systems, including radar.

Invention of the Hovercraft

After World War II, Cockerell shifted his focus to more complex projects, including radar technology and equipment used by the BBC at Alexandra Palace. He left Marconi and inherited his father-in-law's boat company, Ripplecraft Ltd., in Norfolk. Inspired by a desire to increase boat speeds, Cockerell led early work at John I Thornycroft and Sons, utilizing a small engine to partially lift a small craft out of the water.

Cockerell's breakthrough came with the invention of the hovercraft. He realized that optimally elevating a craft above water would reduce drag and significantly increase speed. However, it took several years to develop his theory, which he successfully tested using a vacuum cleaner and two tin cans. Cockerell sold personal belongings to fund his research. In 1955, he built a working model from balsa wood and sold his first hovercraft patent (No. 854211).

Government Support and the SR-N1

Unable to secure private industry support, Cockerell approached the British government to explore military applications for his invention. While the defense potential was recognized, a lack of funding hampered progress. With the support of Harold Wilson, Cockerell was introduced to the NRDC, which commissioned the construction of the first full-scale hovercraft in 1958. This prototype, known as the SR-N1 (Saunders-Roe Nautical 1), was built under an NRDC license.

Public Debut and Recognition

On June 11, 1959, the groundbreaking SR-N1 was unveiled to the public. The craft could reach speeds of up to 28 miles per hour, carrying four people. Within weeks, the SR-N1 embarked on a journey to France, successfully crossing the English Channel between Calais and Dover on June 25, 1959.

Cockerell received the Howard N. Potts Medal in 1965. He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1966 and became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1967. In 1969, he was knighted for his contributions to engineering.

Later Career and Legacy

Cockerell also developed the Cockerell Raft, which played a significant role in the exploration of converting wave energy into electricity. He died on June 1, 1999, in Hythe, Hampshire. Sir Christopher Cockerell's legacy as the inventor of the hovercraft continues to inspire engineers and enthusiasts worldwide.