Bristol
was originally formed in 1910 to produce aircraft and entered the
aircraft engine business in 1920. The aircraft engine business
quickly became the focus of the company, although Bristol developed
important aircraft until it became part of British Aircraft Corp. in
1960.
Bristol's engine business created a string of
successful piston and jet engines until acquired by Rolls-Royce in
1966.
History
1910:
The British and Colonial Aeroplane Co. is formed to
manufacture aircraft.
1920: The company changes its name to the Bristol
Aeroplane Co. and purchases the aircraft engine assets of the
failed Cosmos Engineering. With this acquisition, Bristol
acquires the Jupiter engine...one of the premier engines of the
1920s.
1945: Bristol enters the jet age with a
turboprop, the Theseus of 1945.
1956: Bristol becomes two separate
companies...Bristol Aircraft and Bristol Aero-Engines.
1959: The Ministry of Supply forces
aircraft suppliers to merge in order to compete on the TSR.2
contract. Bristol Aero-Engines merges with Armstrong
Siddeley to form Bristol Siddeley Engines Ltd.
1960: Bristol Aircraft (along with English
Electric and Vickers) form the British
Aircraft Corp (BAC).
1961: Bristol Siddeley acquires de
Havilland Engines and Blackburn Engines (Blackburn Aircraft joins Hawker
Siddeley).
1966: Bristol Siddeley is purchased by Rolls-Royce.
