Aviation and aerospace engineering lost a pioneer when Dr. Sam Williams of Williams International passed away on Monday at the age of 88.
Williams, inventor of the small gas turbine engine and owner of 73 patents, started the Williams Research Corporation with his own funds in 1955. (The name of the company later changed to Williams International in 1981.) Williams International has introduced miniature turbofans that enabled the creation of cruise missiles; the X-Jet flying platform; and the FJ44/FJ33 family of turbofans that enabled the development of new categories of light and very light business jets.
Williams was born in Seattle, WA, on May 7, 1921, and grew up in Columbus, OH. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in 1942. His efforts in creating new technologies earned him the Collier Trophy in 1979, the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy in 1988, and the National Medal of Technology in 1995.
"It's interesting to look back and see what the pioneers did and see how creative they were - and they didn't have the material that we do now," said Williams. "We must always be thinking of the next invention. You never reach a mature technology — it always improves and can be quite dramatic — there's no end to the future of improvement."
For more information from the National Aviation Hall of Fame click here.
For more information from the Invent Now Hall of Fame click here.
