In this first lecture upon the origin and development of the heavy oil aero engine to be delivered under the Akroyd—Stuart foundation, it is appropriate to devote some space to the early history of oil engines generally, for it is certain that the aero engine of the future will claim a direct descent from some terrestrial parent. The early history moreover, of the heavy oil engine is of quite exceolional interest, both technical and personal.
Herbert Akroyd—Stuart was born in 1864.His father, Charles Stuart, owned a small engineering works at Fenny Stratford, and it was here that the son gained his training as an engineer. Between 1885 and 1890 he took out several patents for the improvement of oil engines, which appear to have been the outcome of his experience with a “ Spiel ” petroleum engine used for power generation at his father's works.