Frederick Brant Rentschler (November 8, 1887 – April 25, 1956) was an American aircraft engine designer, aviation engineer, industrialist, and the founder of Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. Rentschler created and manufactured many revolutionary aircraft engines, including those used in the aircraft of Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart and James Doolittle.[1] He is also a co-founder of United Aircraft and Transport Corporation, the predecessor of United Technologies Corporation.
Early life
Rentschler was born on November 8, 1887, in Hamilton, Ohio, to German-Americans George A. Rentschler and Phoebe Schwab, whose family owned the that built Republic cars from 1910 until 1916. They were also principals in Hooven-Owens-Rentschler, and his brother Gordon S. Rentschler would become Chairman of National City Bank. The family resided in the Rentschler House, which has since been named a historic site.
He graduated from Princeton University in 1909 and worked in his family's businesses as a molder and machinist. When the U.S. entered