Alec David Young facts for kids
Alec David Young (born August 15, 1913 – died January 27, 2005) was a smart British engineer who designed aircraft. He was known for his important work in making planes fly better and safer.
Alec's parents came to London from Russia. He grew up in Stepney, London. For high school, he went to Central Foundation Boys' School. He first met his future wife, Dora Caplan, while they were both studying at a public library.
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University Life and Early Studies
In December 1931, Alec took an exam for Cambridge University. He won a special scholarship called an "Exhibition" to study at Gonville and Caius College. To get into Cambridge back then, students needed to know a classical language. So, Alec worked very hard for six months to learn Latin. He passed his Latin exam in June 1932.
While at Cambridge, Alec wasn't just studying. He also played tennis, went swimming, and was the cox (the person who steers) for a rowing team. He also spent time with Dora, his girlfriend. After he graduated, he continued his studies with a famous expert named Melvill Jones. They worked together to find ways to reduce "parasitic drag" on aircraft. This is the drag that slows a plane down because of its shape or parts sticking out. Alec shared his findings with the Aeronautical Research Council.
Working on Aircraft Design
In 1936, Alec joined the Aerodynamics Department at the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Farnborough, Hampshire. He became a member of the Civil Service, which meant he had a steady job. This allowed him to marry Dora. They had two sons, Robert and Jonathan.
Alec's main goal was to make planes faster by reducing drag. He even measured the drag caused by tiny things like rivet heads, joints, gaps, and even paint on the plane! His work helped improve planes like the Hampden bomber and some trainer aircraft.
In 1942, Alec started working with wind tunnels and William Hawthorne to develop jet engines. They studied how air moved at high speeds inside engine parts like inlets and ducts. He also worked with Sydney Goldstein on complex math problems related to airflow.
Teaching and New Discoveries
In July 1946, Alec became a Senior Lecturer at the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield. Here, he worked with Abraham Robinson on how air flows around objects at very high speeds, close to the speed of sound. Another project he worked on was trying to make jet engines quieter. He found ways to change the engine's exhaust nozzle to mix the hot air better with the outside air. This helped reduce noise. He even got a patent for his idea and earned some money from it.
His daughter, Judith, was born in 1949. The next year, Alec became a Professor at Cranfield. In 1951, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, which is a big honor for aircraft engineers. In 1954, he became a Professor of Aeronautical Engineering at Queen Mary College, University of London. In 1962, he became the Dean of the Engineering Faculty. He helped create a new bachelor's degree in avionics, which combines aviation and electronics, working with Marconi Electronic Systems. In 1966, he became the Vice-Principal of the college.
Investigating the Munich Air Crash
One of Alec's most famous research projects was looking into the tragic Munich air crash of 1958. This accident sadly killed most of the Manchester United football team. The media was very interested in his findings. Alec discovered that the main problem was slush on the runway, not ice on the plane's wings. This finding was very important because it showed that the pilot was not at fault. Instead, the airport authorities were seen as responsible for allowing the plane to take off in those conditions.
Later Life and Awards
Sadly, Dora Young developed a brain tumor in 1968 and passed away in 1970. The next year, his daughter Judith married Herman Waldmann. Herman's mother, who was also a widow, later married Alec.
Alec officially retired in 1978. However, he stayed very active in his field. He continued to work on research projects, gave advice to companies in the UK and other countries, gave guest lectures, and wrote many articles and several books.
He received many important awards for his work. In 1964, he was given an OBE. In 1973, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is one of the highest honors for scientists in the UK. In 1976, he received the Ludwig-Prandtl-Ring from the German Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics. This award is given for "outstanding contribution in the field of aerospace engineering."
Alec David Young is buried in the Jewish Section of Cambridge City Cemetery.
See Also
Images for kids
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The grave of Alec David Young in Cambridge City Cemetery
