You’re not much of an engineer are you

Sir Stanley Hooker

Sir Stanley Hooker studied Mathematics at Oxford University and became a celebrated engineer at Rolls-Royce and Bristol. Hooker led the development of supercharging for the Merlin engine and the design of a number of jet and turboprop engines. Sir Stanley came out of retirement in 1970 to become Technical Director at Rolls-Royce, which was struggling to develop the advanced RB211 turbofan engine. The engine eventually entered production and its descendants continue to power many airliners around the world.

Transcript:

Hooker’s entry into the world of advanced engineering was certainly memorable, as he recounted:

“I was not surprised that the interview [at Rolls-Royce] had been unsatisfactory…Two months later, like a bolt from the blue, came a letter from the Works Manager of Rolls-Royce, Ernest W. Hives…requesting my presence at Derby for an interview…

Naturally I went, and was ushered into his office which was over the front entrance to the works. The office was half-panelled in oak, had a blazing fire on one side, and Hives sat at his desk across one corner…

I saw that he had copies of my published works on his desk. After seating me, he thumbed through them and…then he said, leaning forward ‘You’re not much of an engineer are you?’

I had to agree and he replied:

‘Never mind, this place is full of the best engineers in the world and we will teach you if you have it in you. They tell me you are a mathematician of ability. Tell me about your career.’

Which I did. He then suddenly came to life, and leaning forward said, ‘When can you start?’”