Elvie Lawrence Smith
Birthdate: January 8, 1926
Birth Place: Eatonia, Saskatchewan
Year Inducted: 1993
Awards: CM
"His vision, dedication and leadership in the design, development, and manufacture of gas turbine engines, from both the technical and managerial aspects, has been of lasting benefit to Canadian aviation."
After graduating from Purdue University, Elvie Smith joined the National Research Council as Research Engineer in its Engine Laboratory. In this position he focused on anti-icing for gas turbine engines and then on experiments related to the thrust boosting of gas turbine engines by afterburning. He was the principle engineer in the development of a unique system where after burner fuel was sprayed directly into the turbine blades and engine, giving the aircraft an extra boost of power. Elvie joined Pratt & Whitney in 1957 as an Analytical Engineer where he developed an engine for the light CL-41 Jet Trainer and researched, developed, designed and post certified all engineering activities.
Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame
Glossary