Harry Ricardo

In the event, Ricardo won the competition, even though his engine was heavier than all the others and therefore his chances of winning had been rated as very poor by the other contestants. As a result, Hopkinson invited Ricardo to join him in a systematic programme of research into all aspects of the internal combustion engine, and abandon his degree in civil engineering. This he did, graduating with a first class ordinary degree in 1906.

Harry Ricardo patented his design for a two stroke engine in 1906, and this was eventually put into production through a small company set up for the purpose, known as the Two Stroke Engine company. Its products, initially marine engines for fishing boats and then a range of cars, were marketed under the name Dolphin. This venture failed in 1911.