He was a humble schoolmaster with a revolutionary vision. Born an Irish Nationalist, John P. Holland dedicated his life not to teaching, but to solving the problem of underwater navigation?a feat that military engineers and inventors had struggled with for centuries.
In an era defined by massive surface battleships, Holland's ingenious designs?culminating in the world-changing Holland VI?established the essential technical blueprint for the modern submarine: a stealthy, torpedo-armed vessel powered by a revolutionary gasoline-electric system.
This comprehensive biography traces Holland's tumultuous journey from secret Fenian plots to the highest levels of naval power, detailing the technical brilliance required to master the depths. It explores the fascinating paradox of his life: the inventor who sought to arm the oppressed ultimately had his creation co-opted and commercialized by the global powers he opposed.
From the technical struggles of the Fenian Ram to the corporate battles against Isaac L. Rice and the Electric Boat Company, and finally, to the tragic, posthumous validation of his genius on the battlefields of World War I, this is the definitive account of the quiet, uncompromising engineer who changed naval warfare forever.
Discover the man whose patents laid the foundation for every conventional submarine that sails the oceans today. Approx.155 pages, 31800 word count
Autorentext
Born and raised in a small town on the east coast of Scotland, the author brings a unique and refreshing voice to his writing. A late-in-life diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome illuminated his lifelong journey, giving him a deeper understanding of the distinct way he sees the world.
Describing himself as an optimist on a mission to entertain and inform, he aims to take the reader's imagination to its limits and deliver a truly unforgettable experience.