(15 Jun 05)

English Heritage has unveiled a blue plaque at 13 Bedford Square, London, in honour of former resident Sir Harry Ricardo. One of the foremost of the early automotive engineers, Ricardo formed his own company, Engine Patents Ltd, in 1915. This was the forerunner of Ricardo plc, which remains a giant in the engineering field with technical centres in the UK, US, Germany and the Czech Republic.

"Sir Harry Ricardo was one of the leading engineers of his time whose work has had a positive and lasting impact for all of us," said Ricardo plc Chief Executive Rodney Westhead at the unveiling. "His pioneering and innovative efforts in the development of the internal combustion engine brought forward technologies which dramatically improved the performance, fuel consumption and reduced the emissions of the world’s transportation from cars and trucks, to aeroplanes, trains and ships.

"In our work today perhaps the highest accolade that we can aim to achieve is that we keep alive the spirit of technical innovation, practical engineering and entrepreneurialism fostered by Sir Harry Ricardo during his lifetime for the betterment of our planet for future generations to come."

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