Hives, Ernest Walter, first Baron Hives (1886-1965), aero-engine designer and
industrialist
Born in 20 Cholmeley Road, Reading, he was the twelfth child of a factory clerk and was educated at Redlands School. He started work in a local garage in 1898, but in 1903 Hives got a job in the garage of C. S.
Rolls' car company, after fixing Charles Rolls’ car. In 1908 Hives became one of the company’s chief test drivers, leading the RR team in the Austrian Alpine Trial in 1913. During the First World War the company designed its first aero-engine, the Eagle, and Hives developed it successfully, by 1916 he was Head of the Experimental Department. In 1919 the Eagle powered the twin-engined Vickers Vimy bomber on the first direct flight across the Atlantic. Other notable engines were later developed under Hives’
lead. Of these the Kestrel was the most important, leading to the ‘R’ series, which powered the sea-planes
that won the Schneider Trophy 1929 and 1931 for Rolls-Royce, and most importantly the famous Merlin engine.
In 1936 he became the general works manager of the factory and a year later was elected to the board. In 1937, thinking war would soon be inevitable, he prepared the firm for a massive production increase in Merlin engines by splitting facilities between engineering and production. As the Merlin powered Hurricanes and Spitfires, this was a decision of vital strategic significance when war did come. It was thanks to Hives that a total of a hundred and sixty thousand Merlins were produced by 1945. In 1941 Hives quickly decided ‘to go all out for the gas turbine’, ensuring the company’s leading role in developing jet engines for civil and military aviation. He became managing director in 1946 and chairman of the Rolls-Royce from 1950 till 1956. He became Baron Hives in 1950.
Link to the Dictionary of National Biography (only from a Library terminal).
Ernest Hives
Other External Links to more information:
Biography of Hives from
Rolls-Royce
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