F. W. Lanchester: Forgotten Contributions to Rotorcraft Aerodynamic Theory and Vehicle Design

Frederick William Lanchester (1868-1946) was a British aviation pioneer whose contributions encompass all aspects of aeronautics from basic theory to operations. He was a polymath, talented in many areas beyond engineering, and considered by some as a genius. His contributions are not as recognized as their importance warrants for a multitude of reasons. Many of his efforts were groundbreaking, specifically in the development of rotorcraft, including some concepts and inventions that were well before their time. This paper reintroduces aspects of Lanchester's career that continue to influence the vertical lift community in the twenty-first century.