Barnes Wallis, born in 1887, was a British engineer renowned for his innovative contributions to aeronautics during World War II. He is best known for designing the “bouncing bomb,” utilized in the RAF’s Dambusters raid to target German dams in 1943. Wallis also created other significant aircraft and weapons systems, including the Wellington bomber and earthquake bombs like the Tallboy and Grand Slam. His engineering prowess played a pivotal role in Allied military operations. Post-war, Wallis continued his work in aeronautics, contributing to projects such as swing-wing aircraft development. Knighted in 1968 for his engineering achievements, he left a lasting legacy of innovation in aviation and engineering. Wallis passed away in 1979, remembered as one of Britain’s foremost engineers whose inventions significantly impacted military strategy and technological advancements in aircraft design.

Barnes Wallis Quotes

01. “There is a natural opposition among men to anything they have not thought of themselves.”
― Barnes Wallis

02. “You know, there’s such a very thin dividing line between inspiration and obsession that sometimes it’s very hard to decide which side we’re really on.”
― Barnes Wallis