Charles Gutherie Conradi (1878-1928)
1922 M.I.Mech.E., Man. Dir., Electromobile, Ltd., Otley, Yorks.; b. 1878; s. of Capt. C. G. Conradi; m. Mildred, d. of S. Schofield, Solicitor, Halifax and Stainland. Ed. George Heriot's Sch., Edinburgh. Training: Heriot Watt College, Edinburgh. Hons., Machine Design. App. Bertrams, Ltd., Papermakers' Engrs.; with Morton and Sons, Shipbuilders; Campbell Gas Engine Co.; Midland Railway. Co., 19 years; Member Research Committee on Wire Ropes. Publ.: " Mechanical Road Traction "; number of papers before Scientific Socs. on " Road Traction," " Workshop Electrification," etc. Address: East View, Otley.
1928 Obituary [1]
CHARLES GUTHRIE CONRADI, who was a member of the Wire Ropes Research Committee of the Institution from its inception in 1913 until his death on 30th October 1928, achieved distinction at the Heriot-Watt College, and obtained his practical training in Edinburgh with a firm of paper makers' engineers and steam-engine builders, in marine-engine repair shops, and with gas-engine and motor-car builders.
In 1899 he joined the s.s. "Nicossian" as third engineer, but was shipwrecked on the outgoing journey off the coast of Norway, thus ending his seafaring life.
In 1900 he joined the Campbell Gas Engine Company and spent six months at the Paris Exhibition.
Subsequently Mr. Conradi joined the staff of the Midland Railway at Derby, where he became chief draughtsman and assistant to the electrical engineer.
Later he became managing director of Messrs. Electromobile of Otley, and was also a director of the General Vehicle Company of London.
He was an engineer of considerable inventive talent and had taken out patents for improvements in internal-combustion turbines; apparatus for loading and unloading vehicles, for cooling and silencing engine exhaust gases, and for cutting and welding metals by the electric arc; switch-gear design, signalling, tipping vehicle bodies, and electric drives for vehicles without differential gears, as well as many other devices. Many of his designs of electric locomotives, vehicles, trucks, and cranes are widely used.
He became an Associate Member of the Institution in 1906 and a Member in 1916.
In 1919 he contributed a Paper to the Institution on " The Present Position of Mechanical Road Traction," and in 1923 wrote a standard work on "Mechanical Road Transport."
He was 50 years of age when he died.