Inventor
The Resume
(February 3, 1859-February 3, 1935)
Born in Rheydt, Germany
Engineer and aircraft designer
Founded Junkers Flugzeug und Motorenwerke (1895)
Designed the first successful all-metal airplane, the Junkers J 1 (1915)
Why he might be annoying
He was a pacifist who built military aircraft during WWI.
To get around the postwar ban on Germany building military aircraft, he agreed to build a manufacturing plant, secretly financed by the German government, outside of Moscow.
When the Moscow venture failed, he was unable to repay his government loans and lost control over most of his companies (1926).
His oldest son died in the crash of a plane he designed (1923).
Why he might not be annoying
Before entering the field of aviation, he ran a successful business making diesel engines, steam boilers and heating equipment.
To demonstrate the strength of his first aluminum plane, the J 3, he set up a wing like a diving board and showed it could support the weight of 42 men.
He predicted, 'The time will not be far off when as many people will cross the ocean by plane as they now do by ship.' (1923)
After the Nazis rose to power in Germany, they placed him under house arrest to pressure him into selling off his aircraft patents at a fraction of their worth.
Credit: C. Fishel
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Year In Review:
In 2018, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 14 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 15 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 17 Votes: 58.82% Annoying
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