Henry Royce

Frederick Henry Royce (1863 – 1933) was an English engineer and automobile manufacturer, who, together with Charles Rolls, founded the company Rolls-Royce Limited.

Youth and education

• Born: 27 March 1863, Alwalton, Huntingdonshire, England.


• He came from a modest family; his father was a miller, but the family business failed.


• At age 9, he was forced to work selling newspapers and delivering telegrams.


• At age 14, he obtained an apprenticeship with the Great Northern Railway.

Early career and engineering beginnings

• He worked for the Electric Light and Power Company, where he deepened his knowledge of electrical engineering.


• In 1884, he founded F.H. Royce & Co., a company specializing in electrical equipment.
  
  
  

  Entering the automotive industry and founding Rolls-Royce

  
  
  
  
  
  • In 1903, he bought a French car Decauville, but dissatisfied with its performance, he decided to build his own car.
    
    
  • In 1904, he designed his first automobile, the Royce 10 hp.
    
    
  • Meeting Charles Rolls, the two founded Rolls-Royce Limited in 1906.
    
    
  
  
  

  Rolls-Royce and the revolution in the automotive industry

  
  
  
  
  • Royce was a perfectionist and wanted every mechanical detail to be impeccable.
    
    
  • In 1907, the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, known as "the best car in the world", was launched.
  
  
  
  
  

  Contribution to aviation

  
  
  
  
  • During World War I, Rolls-Royce began producing aircraft engines.
  
  
  • The Rolls-Royce Eagle was one of the most widely used military engines.
  
  
  
  
  

  Later years and legacy

  
  
  
  
  • Due to exhaustion, his health deteriorated.
  
  
  • He died on April 22, 1933, at the age of 70.
  
  
  
  
  

  Impact and legacy

  
  
  
  
  • He is considered a brilliant engineer and perfectionist.
  
  
  • He was awarded the title of Sir in 1930.
  
  
  • His motto: "Take the best that exists and make it better".