Rationale for Inclusion
- Innovations in Military Aviation: Anthony Fokker developed the synchronization gear, a revolutionary mechanism that allowed machine guns to fire through an aircraft’s spinning propeller without hitting the blades. This enabled pilots to aim directly at enemy aircraft. The introduction of the Fokker Eindecker marked the first successful fighter aircraft equipped with synchronized machine guns.
- Contributions to Commercial Aviation: In 1919, he founded the Fokker Aircraft Company in the Netherlands and began designing aircraft for civilian use. He developed the Fokker F.VII trimotor and the F.VII became one of the most popular and reliable airliners of its time.
- Technical Innovation: Fokker’s aircraft were known for their innovative design, reliability, and performance. He pioneered the use of cantilever wings, which eliminated the need for external bracing wires and improved aerodynamics. This design approach influenced subsequent aircraft developments and set new standards for structural efficiency and safety. His focus on practical and efficient designs helped push the boundaries of what was possible in aviation. Fokker’s commitment to integrating new technologies and materials into his aircraft set a precedent for future innovations in the industry.
- Enduring Legacy: Fokker’s military innovations changed air warfare in fundamental ways and acted as the precursor to all future single propeller engine, fighter aircraft. Further, Fokker’s development of the F.VII and its ability to fly longer distances with greater passenger capacity helped establish commercial aviation as a viable industry. The F.VII set numerous long-distance flight records, contributing to the expansion of airline routes and making air travel more accessible to the public. His work laid the groundwork for many advancements in aircraft design and technology and his visionary approach and engineering prowess helped shape the trajectory of aviation during its critical early years.
Biography
- Early Life and Education: Anthony Fokker was born on April 6, 1890, in Blitar, Java, then part of the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). In 1894, the family moved to the Netherlands, where Anthony grew up. In 1910, he enrolled at the Bingen Technical College in Germany to further his engineering education, but he soon left to focus on building aircraft.
- Early Career: In 1910, while still in Germany, Fokker built his first aircraft, the “Spin” (Spider), which was the first Dutch-built aircraft to fly in the Netherlands. This successful flight in 1911 marked the beginning of Fokker’s career in aviation. He established a small aircraft factory in Germany, Fokker Aeroplanbau, where he began designing and manufacturing aircraft.
- World War I and Beyond: Fokker’s most significant accomplishment was his development of the synchronization gear and the subsequent production of the Fokker Eindecker fighter plane during World War I. The Eindecker, equipped with the synchronized machine gun, became the first successful fighter aircraft and dominated the skies during the “Fokker Scourge” period in 1915. After the war, Fokker returned to the Netherlands and established the Fokker Aircraft Company in 1919. He shifted his focus to commercial aviation and designed the Fokker F.VII trimotor, which became one of the most successful commercial aircraft of the 1920s.
- Legacy and Influence: Fokker died on December 23, 1939, at the age of 49. He passed away in New York City due to complications from pneumococcal meningitis. His legacy is marked by his contributions to both military and commercial aviation. His innovations in aircraft design, particularly the synchronization gear, had a profound impact on aerial combat during World War I. In the post-war era, his work on commercial aircraft helped establish air travel as a viable and popular mode of transportation.
- After his death, Anthony received a variety of awards and accolades, including:
- Induction into the International Air and Space Museum (1970)
- Induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame (1980)