author
Leonard S. Hobbs
1896–1977
A pioneering aeronautical engineer, he helped shape the engines behind some of aviation’s most important leaps and later turned that experience into clear, thoughtful writing about early flight. His work connects the age of the Wright brothers to the jet era in a way few people could match.
1 Audiobook
The Wright Brothers' Engines and Their Design
by Leonard S. Hobbs
About the author
Born in Carbon County, Wyoming, Leonard S. "Luke" Hobbs became one of the leading American aeronautical engineers of the 20th century. He worked with the Army Air Service at McCook Field, later joined Stromberg Motor Devices, and then built a long career at Pratt & Whitney, where he contributed to major advances in aircraft engine design.
He is especially remembered for his role in developing important aircraft engines, including the Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet, a landmark engine of the early jet age. Archival and reference sources also connect him with the carburetor used in The Spirit of St. Louis and with the R-2800 Double Wasp, one of the defining engines of World War II aviation.
Hobbs was also an author with a strong interest in aviation history. His book The Wright Brothers' Engines and Their Design reflects both his technical knowledge and his respect for the ingenuity of early flight pioneers, making his work appealing to readers who enjoy the story of how engineering ideas changed the world.