Imagine, if you will, a young boy tinkering with engines, right here at 13 Bedford Square. This blue plaque commemorates Sir Harry Ricardo. It marks the birthplace of a mechanical engineering giant. English Heritage placed it here in 2005.
Sir Harry Ricardo. The name may not be instantly familiar. His impact on the world is undeniable. Born in this very house in 1885, Ricardo became one of the foremost engine designers. He was also a researcher in the early days of internal combustion engine development.
His family background was impressive. His father was an architect. His mother was the daughter of a civil engineer. Interestingly, he descended from a brother of the famous political economist David Ricardo.
Even as a child, Ricardo had a passion for engines. He was one of the first in England to see an automobile. His grandfather bought one in 1898. Educated at Rugby School and Trinity College, Cambridge, Ricardo’s path was set.
In 1904, Ricardo designed a motorcycle. It won a university competition for fuel efficiency. This early success propelled him into engine research. He graduated in 1906. He then spent another year researching at Cambridge.
Ricardo’s work spanned various engine types. He improved engines for the first tanks in World War I. He researched the physics of internal combustion. This led to the development of octane ratings. He helped develop the sleeve valve engine design. He also invented the Diesel “Comet” Swirl chamber. This made high-speed diesel engines economically feasible.
During World War I, Ricardo designed a six-cylinder engine for British tanks. It reduced smoke emissions and increased power. Over 8000 of these engines were used in the war. They powered all British heavy tanks after the Mark V.
His contributions extended to aircraft engines. He joined the Air Ministry’s engine research facility in 1917. He studied irregular combustion. This led to the octane rating system for fuels. Higher octane fuel allowed Alcock and Brown to fly the Atlantic. They used Vickers Vimy bombers adapted with his modifications.
Ricardo’s research also focused on diesel engines. He realized that turbulence within the combustion chamber increased flame speed. He developed the “Comet” design in 1931. It was licensed to many companies. It was used in trucks, buses, tractors and even cars. The Citroën Rosalie was the world’s first volume production diesel passenger car using Ricardo’s design.
In 1915, Ricardo founded Engine Patents Ltd. Today, it is known as Ricardo PLC. His company played a key role in designing tank maneuvering devices. They helped position them aboard railway wagons.
Ricardo’s influence extended to World War II. He enhanced the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine in the Mosquito. He assisted in the design of Sir Frank Whittle’s jet engine.
Sir Harry Ricardo died in 1974 at the age of 89. His legacy lives on through his inventions and his company.
In 2010, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers recognized Sir Harry Ricardo. They gave him an Engineering Heritage Award. It celebrated his life and work.
So, next time you think about the internal combustion engine, remember Sir Harry Ricardo. Remember his birthplace. Remember this blue plaque. It commemorates a true engineering pioneer.