John Knudsen Northrop (Northrop John Knudsen)

(1895-1981)
Born November 10, 1895 in Newark (pc. New Jersey). Receiving an education, worked as a draftsman in the firm 'Douglas', then an engineer, designer. In 1927 he helped create the company, Lockheed Aircraft 'in Los Angeles and became its chief engineer. While working in the company designed and built the planes 'Air Express' and 'Lockheed Vega' - cantilever high-wing monoplane. In 1928, together with W. Jay Northrop founded the company 'Avion', which was engaged in the development of aircraft type 'flying wing'. In 1931, left the company and organized his own company 'Northrop Corporation', where created civil aircraft 'Northrop Gamma' and 'Northrop Delta', and H-17 attack planes and H-17A. Since 1932, in cooperation with the firm ', Douglas Aircraft' Northrop worked on the creation of a series of aircraft DC. In 1937 his company became part of the 'Douglas Aircraft', and in 1939 founded the corporation 'Northrop Aircraft', whose director at Northrop remained until 1952. Among the most prominent developments Northrop - cellular structure of the wing and tail with a bearing skin, the use of civilian aircraft slotted flaps, the invention of double slotted flaps for dive bombers. Northrop died in Glendale (pc. California) February 18, 1981.