Evening star., 1933-10-05
|C.E.THOMPSOND|ES;;
PIONEER IN MOTORS
Donor of Air Race Trophy
Helped Develop Modern
Alloy Valves.

Charles e. Thompson, Cleveland in
dustrialist, pioneer in high-powered mo-
tor development and father of Amer
ica's greatest aviation speed classic. the
Thompson Trophy race, died last night
at Emergency Hospital after being
stricken with acute indigestion at his
room in the Wardman Park Hotel.
Thompson, who was 50, came to
Washington last week to confer with
Gen. Hugh S. johnson, national recov-
cry administrator. regarding a metal
trades CODE The body probably will
be sent to Cleveland late today. Fu-
neral arrangements have not been COM
pleted
Thompson's colorful career had a
profound effect on aviation development
in this country, though he never had
engaged in aeronautic activities him
self. His pioneering work in the de-
velopment Of valves for internal COM
bustion engines materially aided engi-
neers in the perfection Of motors Of all
types.
Encouraged Building.
The industrialist spent large sums
encouraging construction OF better and
faster airplanes, and in 1929 established
the famous Thompson Trophy, which
is competed for annually on Labor day
as the climax of the National Air Races.
His offering of the trophy, accompanied
by annual cash prizes totaling $4,000,
SO stimulated airplane design and de-
velopment that new records have been
established each year since the trophy
first was offered, including two success
sive world landplane speed records. The
research work in connection with the
Thompson Trophy racers is reflected in
the high speed transport planes now
appearing on every major American ali
line.
Thompson became first president OF
the Glenn L. Martin Co., Baltimore
manufacturers of aircraft, including the
new Martin bomber, rated as the fastest
of its kind in the world. He also was
an organizer Of the American Airways
Corporation.
Headed Large Plants.
He organized and became president
of Thompson Products, Inc. which, with
large plants in Cleveland and Detroit,
is one 81 the largest producers Of auto
mobile and aircraft valves.
First to introduce the use of alloy
steel into the manufacture of valves.
Thompson guided the development OF
the modern high-speed, high-tempera-
ture valves, which made possible the
type Of engine which became world-fa-
nous with the historic solo flight across
the Atlantic in 1927 Of Charles A. Lind
bergh.
Born at McIndoe Falls, Va. the son
of construction engineer, Thompson
attended elementary schools at Lynn,
Mass. and the Boston Preparatory
School In 1898 he went to Cleveland
to work for the Cuyahoga Telephone
Co. He was married to Miss Maora
Hubbard, who died in 1900 after the
birth of a son, Edwin G. Thompson
now treasurer and vice president OF
Thompson Products. Inc. In 1929
Thompson married Mrs. Gloria Hayes
Hopkins at New Haven. Conn.
After three years in telephone work
in Ohio and Texas, Thompson, with two
ing Products Co.. in 1901.
Developed Welding.
Thompson's first venture into the
actual manufacture Of automotive parts
followed his observation of the oppor-
tunity to effect a saving in the manu-
facture of valves, then being turned
from solid steel bars, by electrically
Welding the valve head to the stem
from which the valve finally was ma
chine finished
Thompson is survived by his widow
four sons. Edwin G., Howard. Kenneth
and Thomas; two daughters, Mrs. Phil
lip Farley Of New York, and La Rene
Thompson: two sisters, Mrs Samuel
Naff of Cleveland. and Mrs George E
Powers Of Lynn. Mass, and brother
Grover c. Thompson of San Diego
Calf,