Diarmuid Downs facts for kids
Sir Diarmuid Downs (born April 23, 1922 – died February 12, 2014) was a very important British engineer. He worked mainly with car engines. He earned many special honors, like the CBE and being a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Early Life and Education
Diarmuid Downs was born in London in 1922. His father had a small engineering business. They made equipment for the oil industry. Diarmuid went to Gunnersbury Catholic Grammar School. He then studied at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London. Later, he attended Northampton Engineering College. He graduated with top honors in 1942. After college, he won a special scholarship. This allowed him to do more research at a company called Ricardo and Co.
His Work with Engines
Diarmuid Downs worked at Ricardo & Co. for 15 years. He started as a student. Then he became a staff member. By 1947, he was the Head of the Petrol Engine Department. He spent his time studying how petrol engines sometimes had problems. He looked into things like "knock" and "pre-ignition." These are issues that can make an engine run poorly. His research helped people understand these problems much better.
Leading Important Groups
Diarmuid Downs became a Director at Ricardo in 1957. Ten years later, in 1967, he became the Managing Director. He held this important job until 1984. From 1976 to 1987, he was the Chairman of the company.
He also led other big engineering groups. In 1978, he was the President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. From 1978 to 1980, he was President of FISITA. This is an international group for car engineering societies. In 1985, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists and engineers. He also became a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
