Charles Lanier Lawrance
Encyclopedia
Charles Lanier Lawrance was an American aeronautical engineer and an early proponent of air-cooled aircraft engine
s. He founded the Lawrance Aero Engine Company
in 1917. He designed the Lawrance J-1
air-cooled aircraft engine
, the direct ancestor of the extremely successful Wright Whirlwind
series of engines. Long-distance flights of Admiral Byrd, Charles Lindbergh
, Amelia Earhart
and Clarence Chamberlin were all made possible by the Whirlwind series of engines, which could operate continuously for 33.5 hours. Despite sensational publicity that Lindbergh's flight attracted, Lawrance himself remained in relative obscurity - upon which he commented: "Who remembers Paul Revere’s horse?"
In May 1923, Lawrance's company was purchased by Wright Aeronautical
, as the United States Navy
was concerned that Lawrance couldn't produce enough engines for its needs. Lawrance was retained as a vice president. In 1925, after Wright's president, Frederick B. Rentschler, left the company to found Pratt & Whitney
, Lawrance replaced him as company president.
Lawrance died on June 24, 1950.
Aircraft engine
An aircraft engine is the component of the propulsion system for an aircraft that generates mechanical power. Aircraft engines are almost always either lightweight piston engines or gas turbines...
s. He founded the Lawrance Aero Engine Company
Lawrance Aero Engine Company
Lawrance Aero Engine Company was an American aircraft engine manufacturer. Founded by engine pioneer Charles Lawrance, it designed one of the first successful air-cooled radial engines...
in 1917. He designed the Lawrance J-1
Lawrance J-1
The Lawrance J-1 was an engine developed by Charles Lanier Lawrance and used in American aircraft in the early 1920s. It was a 9-cylinder, air-cooled radial design.-Development:...
air-cooled aircraft engine
Aircraft engine
An aircraft engine is the component of the propulsion system for an aircraft that generates mechanical power. Aircraft engines are almost always either lightweight piston engines or gas turbines...
, the direct ancestor of the extremely successful Wright Whirlwind
Wright Whirlwind
The Wright R-975 Whirlwind was a series of nine-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by the Wright Aeronautical division of Curtiss-Wright. These engines had a displacement of about 975 in³ and power ratings of 300-450 hp...
series of engines. Long-distance flights of Admiral Byrd, Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist.Lindbergh, a 25-year-old U.S...
, Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
and Clarence Chamberlin were all made possible by the Whirlwind series of engines, which could operate continuously for 33.5 hours. Despite sensational publicity that Lindbergh's flight attracted, Lawrance himself remained in relative obscurity - upon which he commented: "Who remembers Paul Revere’s horse?"
In May 1923, Lawrance's company was purchased by Wright Aeronautical
Wright Aeronautical
Wright Aeronautical was an aircraft and aircraft engine manufacturer located in New Jersey.-History:This American company evolved from the 1909-1916 Wright Company, which merged with the Glenn L. Martin Company in 1916 to form the Wright-Martin Aircraft Corporation. Glenn Martin resigned from...
, as the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
was concerned that Lawrance couldn't produce enough engines for its needs. Lawrance was retained as a vice president. In 1925, after Wright's president, Frederick B. Rentschler, left the company to found Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer with global service operations. It is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation . Pratt & Whitney's aircraft engines are widely used in both civil aviation and military aviation. Its headquarters are in East Hartford, Connecticut, USA...
, Lawrance replaced him as company president.
Lawrance died on June 24, 1950.