Richard Borlase Matthews
Richard Borlase Matthews (1878-1943)
1922 Wh.Ex., Assoc.M.Inst.C.E., M.I.E.E., F.R.Ae.S., M.B.E. S.A., Cons. Elec. Engr.; b. 1878; s. of R. J. Matthews, of Swansea. Ed. Swansea Grammar School Training: Swansea Technical College; Royal College of Sc. and School of Mines, London; Central Technical College, London. App. with Millbrook Iron and Steel Co., Ltd., Swansea; Asst. Engr., Robert W. Blackwell and Co., Ltd., London, and National Electric Co., Milwaukee, U.S.A.; Departmental Engr., General Electric Co., Schenectady, U.S.A.; Chief Engr., Edison Electric Light and Power Co., Amsterdam, U.S.A.; Cons. Engr., 1906 (eventually associating with W. B. Esson, M.Inst.C.E.), specializing in Extra High Tension Electric Transmission Lines, Electric Power Station Design and Development, coupled with Electric Illuminating and Electric Heating; was responsible for the first Electric Kitchen, supplying over 200 dinners daily, and the extension of the general Domestic Uses of Electricity; Patentee of the " Electric Mary Ann," or Domestic General Utility Motor; also of Variable Voltage Electric Heaters; in 1908 he incorporated Aeronautical Work with his practice, becoming the first Cons. Aeronautical Engr.; during the War was on the Staff of the Technical Dept. of the Air Ministry; has since devoted his attention to Experimental Work in connection with the applications of Electricity to Agriculture. Publ.: Author of " Electricity for Everybody," a handbook for Central Station Engrs.; " Aviation Pocket Book " (Annual); " The Commercial Development of Elec. Supply Undertakings." Papers before the I.E.E. and the R.Ae.S. Address: Greater Felcourt, East Grinstead.
1925 Founding shareholder in Austin Electric Co
1943 Died while unsuccessfully attempting to rescue his 18 year old son from drowning.