A Man of Invention Book

'A Man of Invention' is a meticulously researched and generously illustrated account of an extraordinary war-time career. The companion volume to 'Enlist !', this is the true story of John Sylvester 'Jack' Wheelwright; an innovative and record breaking First World War pilot. In peacetime he had been the youngest chief designer ever appointed by Sanderson's Fabrics. His extraordinary ability and energy produced the greatest number of designs ever created by a single designer. It also resulted in dozens of inventions, including the world's first automatic rotary screen printer. When war broke in 1914, however, Jack joined the Royal Navy. Within weeks, he volunteered for a job that was uniquely dangerous and unpredictable. Joining a branch of the service that had only just been created, the Royal Naval Air Service, he became an airship pilot. Airships were seen as experimental and dangerous, the province of pioneer aviators such as Germany's Count Zeppelin and Britain's E T Willows. The lethal combination of inflammable hydrogen gas, petrol and the internal combustion engine led to half hearted demands that they be outlawed. Public opinion was finally galvanised on 19th January 1915 when, for the first time, bombs were dropped over London by German Zeppelins When it was announced that a small expeditionary force of British airships was to be despatched to the Dardanelles, Jack saw a rare opportunity to support the 'P.B.I' - the Poor Bloody Infantry. He volunteered again. It was back in Britain, however, that Jack was to find an outlet for his greatest talent. Between tussles with enemy U-boats and Mother Nature, Jack redesigned and improved the Admiralty's airships. His modifications were adopted across the fleet with one major refit becoming known simply as the 'Wheelwright Design'. He was one of a few Great War volunteers who also served during the Second World War. His ideas established him as a favourite of Winston Churchill but despite that he remained locked out of the established research and development community. His mind stretched again and he turned to finding ways of getting his ideas turned into reality. This is a story of energy and invention. More, it is a story of unshakeable determination.Read More