Harlan D. Fowler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Harlan D. Fowler
Double slotted Fowler flaps extended for landing
Born	(1895-06-18)June 18, 1895 Sacramento, California
Died	April 27, 1982(1982-04-27) (aged 86) Solvang, CA
Nationality	American
Occupation	Aeronautical engineer and inventor
Known for	Fowler flap
Spouse(s)	Dorthy Newkirk Fowler ( -Dec 1980)
Parent(s)	Dr Charles D. Fowler Carrie D. Fowler ( -July 21, 1942)
Awards	John Price Wetherill Medal

Harlan D. Fowler (1895-1982) was an American inventor and airplane engineer. He created the Fowler flap, a special part of an airplane wing. This invention is still used on many large planes today.

What is a Fowler Flap?

How a Fowler flap moves

The Fowler flap is a clever part on the back edge of an airplane wing. It helps planes fly more safely and efficiently. When it extends, it does two things at once. First, it slides backward. Then, it rotates downward. This movement also creates small gaps, or "slots."

How Fowler Flaps Help Airplanes

These movements make the wing bigger and more curved. A bigger, more curved wing creates more lift. Lift is the force that pushes the plane up into the air. The flap also increases drag, which helps slow the plane down.

Fowler flaps are very useful for take-off and landing. They allow planes to fly slower without losing lift. This means planes can take off and land on shorter runways. They also help planes climb into the sky more easily.

Developing the Fowler Flap

Harlan Fowler started working on his flap idea in 1927. He worked with a mechanic named Stanley Crowfoot. They designed and tested the flap using their own money. Fred Weick at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) also tested the flap. His tests showed how much the flap improved airplane performance.

Early Airplanes with Fowler Flaps

The first airplanes to use the Fowler flap were built in the 1930s. These included the Martin 146 prototype in 1935. The German Fieseler Fi 97 and the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra also used them in 1937. Later, famous planes like the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and the Boeing B-29 Superfortress used them. The Lockheed P-38 Lightning also had Fowler flaps. Today, many modern passenger planes still use this important invention. In 1948, Fowler wrote a book about his invention called Fowler Flaps for Airplanes: An Engineering Handbook.

Harlan Fowler's Life Story

Harlan D. Fowler, who became an aeronautical engineer

Harlan Davey Fowler was born on June 18, 1895, in Sacramento, California. When he was a teenager, he enjoyed building large Man-lifting kites. He was married twice and had two children.

Starting a Career in Aviation

Fowler began his career in aviation in 1917. He worked for the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He was an assistant engineer at McCook Field in Ohio. Later, he became an independent aviation consultant. This means he gave advice to many big airplane companies. These included Fokker, Glenn L. Martin, Convair, and Douglas Aircraft. He also advised the Bureau of Aeronautics and the U.S. Air Force.

From 1922 to 1925, Fowler worked for several aviation companies. He helped with the design of the airship USS Shenandoah (ZR-1). He also worked on designing the Mailwing airplane. In 1928, he became the Chief Aeronautical Engineer for Miller Aviation Corporation.

Starting His Own Company

In May 1929, Fowler started his own company called Fowler Airplane Wings Inc. He hoped to sell his new flap design. Later, in 1941, he became president of the Fowler Aircraft Company.

Harlan Fowler had hearing difficulties and used a hearing aid. But this did not stop him from working hard. He often shared his ideas for improving aircraft with the NACA. Another NACA engineer, Ken Mort, helped Fowler build models and test his ideas. Fowler created his flap design when airplanes were still mostly covered with fabric.

Harlan Fowler retired in 1975. He passed away on April 27, 1982. His original research papers, drawings, photos, and models are kept at San Jose State University. The university also has a scholarship named in his honor. He held at least four patents for his inventions.

Harlan Fowler's Inventions

Harlan Fowler held patents for several important inventions. A patent is like a special license that protects an invention. It means no one else can make or sell that invention without permission.

Books by Harlan Fowler

Harlan Fowler was also a writer. Here are some of the books he published:

• Fowler flaps for airplanes, an engineering handbook, published in 1948.
• Camels to California: A Chapter in Western Transportation, published in 1950.
• Three caravans to Yuma: the untold story of Bactrian camels in western America, published in 1980.
• Behold the Flaming Sword: Biography of John and Jesus, published in 1983.