July 12

Charles Rolls was born in 1877 and displayed an early passion for mechanics and automobiles. He partnered with Henry Royce in 1904 to establish Rolls-Royce, producing luxury motor cars renowned for their engineering excellence. Rolls was also an aviation pioneer and became the first Briton to make a nonstop double crossing of the English Channel by plane. In 1910, he tragically died in a flying accident, becoming one of the first British aviation casualties. His legacy lives on in the iconic Rolls-Royce marque and his contributions to early aviation history. Rolls combined business acumen with a spirit of exploration that defined the Edwardian era.

Ole Evinrude was born in 1877 in Norway and immigrated to the United States where he began his career in machinery and engineering. In 1909, he designed and built what became the first commercially successful outboard motor, fundamentally changing small boat propulsion. He founded the Evinrude Motor Company and later partnered with his brother in the ELTO Outboard Motor Company. His innovation made boating more accessible and spurred the growth of recreational boating and fishing industries. Evinrude’s legacy endures through continued advancements in marine engine technology even after his death in 1934.

John King, Baron King of Wartnaby was a prominent English businessman who led British Airways through a period of modernization and growth. Born in 1917, he rose through the shipping and logistics industry before joining British Airways in the 1970s. As chairman from 1981 to 1993, he oversaw the airline's privatization, fleet modernization, and expansion of international routes. He was knighted and later made a life peer for his contributions to British industry. King passed away in 2005, remembered for his visionary leadership in the aviation sector.

Amar G. Bose was born in 1929 and earned a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from MIT. In 1964, he founded the Bose Corporation, revolutionizing audio equipment with research-driven designs. His work in acoustics led to breakthroughs in speaker technology and noise-cancellation systems. He taught at MIT for over 45 years, mentoring future engineers and entrepreneurs. He died in 2013, leaving a legacy of innovation at the intersection of engineering and business.