Anthony Fokker (1890–1939,) born Anton Herman Gerard Fokker, was a Dutch aviation pioneer, aircraft designer, and entrepreneur, best known for his innovative fighter planes in World War I and contributions to commercial aviation.
Born in Blitar, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia,) he moved to the Netherlands as a child. Fascinated by mechanics, he built his first aircraft, De Spin (1910,) which gained attention when he flew it around Haarlem’s Grote Kerk.
During World War I, Fokker supplied Germany with advanced fighters, including the Fokker Eindecker (1915,) Fokker Dr.I (1917, famously flown by the Red Baron,) and Fokker D.VII (1918,) considered one of the war’s best.
After the war, he returned to the Netherlands, founding Fokker Aircraft Company, which produced successful commercial planes like the Fokker F.VII/3m (1924,) widely used by Pan American and KLM.
His autobiography, Flying Dutchman: The Life of Anthony Fokker (1931,) details his career and innovations. Another biography, Marc Dierikx’s Anthony Fokker: The Flying Dutchman Who Shaped American Aviation (2018,) explores his global impact.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Anthony Fokker
All except very short distance, high class, passenger travel will be by air in the days to come.
—Anthony Fokker
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