Alex Moulton from Bristol to Bradford-on-Avon - a Lifetime in Engineering

By: Alex Moulton .

FOREWORD
There are few people whose name is synonymous with a product. Alexander Eric Moulton is such a person. Any cycling enthusiast would immediately recognise the Moulton cycle as a unique marque, renowned for its performance and quality.

Alex Mouton's career has spanned major British industries of Aerospace and Motor cars as well as managing a small successful enterprise. He is the great-grandson of the rubber pioneer Stephen Moulton, the founder of the family business George Spencer Moulton & Co Ltd. His education at the University of Cambridge was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II in 1939. Whilst awaiting call up to the RAF he joined the Bristol Engine Company working closely with Sir Roy Fedden, and it is this connection with what is today the Rolls-Royce site at Bristol which lead Alec to work with The Trust (of which he is a life member) in producing his autobiography. Post war he joined the family company and worked closely with Alec Issigonis developing the Hydrolastic Suspension system for a number of motorcars particularly the Austin Mini. In the mid 1950s he questioned the design of the classic bicycle and designed and produced the bicycle which carries his name.

His approach to problems and opportunities is an example to all aspiring and practicing engineers. He is extremely creative, enthusiastic and constantly questions accepted norms. He works from first principles striving to understand the fundamentals of any problem and his creativity is supported by the liberal use of freehand sketching. He is never satisfied that his designs cannot be improved and continues to refine and improve his products, and bring them successfully to market.

Geoff E Kirk RDI FREng

Other Details