Barnes Wallis, English scientist and engineer, invented the Bouncing bomb (d. 1979)
Sir Barnes Neville Wallis (26 September 1887 – 30 October 1979) was an English scientist, engineer and inventor. He is best known for inventing the bouncing bomb used by the Royal Air Force in Operation Chastise (the "Dambusters" raid) to attack the dams of the Ruhr Valley during World War II.
The raid was the subject of the 1955 film The Dam Busters, in which Wallis was played by Michael Redgrave. Among his other inventions were his version of the geodetic airframe and the earthquake bomb.
1887Sep, 26
Barnes Wallis
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Events on 1887
- 20Jan
Pearl Harbor
The United States Senate allows the Navy to lease Pearl Harbor as a naval base. - 2Feb
Groundhog Day
In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania the first Groundhog Day is observed. - 10Apr
Pope Leo XIII
On Easter Sunday, Pope Leo XIII authorizes the establishment of the Catholic University of America. - 28Apr
Guillaume Schnaebelé
A week after being arrested by the Prussian Secret Police, French police inspector Guillaume Schnaebelé is released on order of William I, German Emperor, defusing a possible war. - 11Nov
Haymarket affair
August Spies, Albert Parsons, Adolph Fischer and George Engel are executed as a result of the Haymarket affair.