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{{Short description|Indian aerospace engineer}} | |||
{{More citations needed|article|date=December 2018}} | {{More citations needed|article|date=December 2018}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}} | ||
{{Infobox person | {{Infobox person | ||
| name = Stephen H. Smith | | name = Stephen H. Smith | ||
| image = Stephen Hector Taylor-Smith.png | | image = Stephen Hector Taylor-Smith.png | ||
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1891|2|14}}<ref name="SoI_1942"/><ref name="IAM2_1992"/> | | birth_date = {{Birth date|1891|2|14|df=y}}<ref name="SoI_1942"/><ref name="IAM2_1992"/> | ||
| birth_place = [[Shillong]], [[Meghalaya]]<br>(then in [[Assam]]) | | birth_place = [[Shillong]], [[Meghalaya]]<br>(then in [[Assam]]) | ||
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1951|2|15|1891|2|14}} | | death_date = {{Death date and age|1951|2|15|1891|2|14|df=y}} | ||
|death_place = [[Calcutta]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]] | |||
| spouse = {{marriage|Fay Harcourt|1918}}<ref name="SoI_1942" /> | | spouse = {{marriage|Fay Harcourt|1918}}<ref name="SoI_1942" /> | ||
| children = Hector Smith | | children = Hector Smith | ||
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| signature_size = 250px | | signature_size = 250px | ||
| burial_place = [[Lower Circular Road cemetery|Lower circular Road cemetery]], Kolkata <ref name="IAM2_1992"/> | | burial_place = [[Lower Circular Road cemetery|Lower circular Road cemetery]], Kolkata <ref name="IAM2_1992"/> | ||
| citizenship = Indian | | citizenship = Indian | ||
| employer = Calcutta Customs<br>Calcutta Police | | employer = Calcutta Customs<br>Calcutta Police | ||
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}} | }} | ||
'''Stephen Hector Taylor-Smith''' (14 February 1891 – 15 February 1951)<ref name="SoI_1942">{{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Jal |title=Stamps of India |date=1942 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.124811/page/n154 |accessdate=28 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="IAM2_1992">{{cite web |title=Indian Stamp Collectors Association: Stephen Smith Commemoration Issue |url=https://www.indianairmails.com/uploads/8/1/0/8/81084928/0724_190715102356_001.pdf |accessdate=14 September 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914034956/https://www.indianairmails.com/uploads/8/1/0/8/81084928/0724_190715102356_001.pdf |archivedate=14 September 2019 |date=1992 | '''Stephen Hector Taylor-Smith''' (14 February 1891 – 15 February 1951)<ref name="SoI_1942">{{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Jal |title=Stamps of India |date=1942 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.124811/page/n154 |accessdate=28 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/by-rocket-i-go-24615|title=By rocket I go!|last=Zarif|first=Mannan Mashhur|date=8 March 2015|work=The Daily Star|access-date=30 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="IAM2_1992">{{cite web |title=Indian Stamp Collectors Association: Stephen Smith Commemoration Issue |url=https://www.indianairmails.com/uploads/8/1/0/8/81084928/0724_190715102356_001.pdf |accessdate=14 September 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914034956/https://www.indianairmails.com/uploads/8/1/0/8/81084928/0724_190715102356_001.pdf |archivedate=14 September 2019 |date=1992}}</ref> often known as '''Stephen Smith''', was a pioneering [[India]]n [[aerospace engineer]] who developed techniques in [[rocket mail|delivering mail by rocket]]. | ||
Unlike [[Friedrich Schmiedl]], whom the Austrian Authorities banned from further experimenting, Smith was encouraged in his experiments by Indian Officials. In the ten-year span of his experiments (1934–1944), Smith made some 270 launches, including at least 80 rocket mail flights. | Unlike [[Friedrich Schmiedl]], whom the Austrian Authorities banned from further experimenting, Smith was encouraged in his experiments by Indian Officials. In the ten-year span of his experiments (1934–1944), Smith made some 270 launches, including at least 80 rocket mail flights. | ||
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Stephen Smith also effected the world's first livestock transport when on 29 June 1935, a rocket carried a cock and hen together with 189 rocketgrams across the river [[Damodar River|Damodar]].<ref name="AnS_mag20110701">{{Cite web|url=https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/department-of-what-were-they-thinking-25283814/|title=When Missiles Delivered the Mail|last=Maksel|first=Rebecca|date=1 July 2011|website=Air & Space Magazine|language=en|access-date=2019-02-03}}</ref> Both animals survived the flight and were donated to a private zoo in Calcutta. A later effort, successfully carried; a snake (Miss Creepy), an apple and 106 covers. Smith demonstrated his experiments during the war years, few items of mail were carried on these flights, The last series of rockets were gas propelled and the last flight took place on 4 December 1944. | Stephen Smith also effected the world's first livestock transport when on 29 June 1935, a rocket carried a cock and hen together with 189 rocketgrams across the river [[Damodar River|Damodar]].<ref name="AnS_mag20110701">{{Cite web|url=https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/department-of-what-were-they-thinking-25283814/|title=When Missiles Delivered the Mail|last=Maksel|first=Rebecca|date=1 July 2011|website=Air & Space Magazine|language=en|access-date=2019-02-03}}</ref> Both animals survived the flight and were donated to a private zoo in Calcutta. A later effort, successfully carried; a snake (Miss Creepy), an apple and 106 covers. Smith demonstrated his experiments during the war years, few items of mail were carried on these flights, The last series of rockets were gas propelled and the last flight took place on 4 December 1944. | ||
Smith died on 15 February 1951. He is known as the "Father of Aerophilately" in India. The Department of Posts in India issued a commemorative stamp on 19 December 1992 honouring this [[Anglo-Indian]] pioneer of airborne mail.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://postagestamps.gov.in/CommemorativePostageStamps.aspx|title=Commemorative Postage Stamps of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/stamped-on-time/cid/633611|title=Stamped on time|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite | Smith died on 15 February 1951. He is known as the "Father of Aerophilately" in India. The Department of Posts in India issued a commemorative stamp on 19 December 1992 honouring this [[Anglo-Indian]] pioneer of airborne mail.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://postagestamps.gov.in/CommemorativePostageStamps.aspx|title=Commemorative Postage Stamps of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/stamped-on-time/cid/633611|title=Stamped on time|website=www.telegraphindia.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Sagar-rocket-scientists-envelopes-fetch-Rs-65000-in-auction/articleshow/50183461.cms|title=Sagar rocket scientist's envelopes fetch Rs 65000 in auction - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=15 December 2015 |access-date=2019-01-28}}</ref> | ||
==Publications== | ==Publications== | ||
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* 1927: ''The World Flyer's Danger Zone'' | * 1927: ''The World Flyer's Danger Zone'' | ||
*1955: ''Rocket mail catalogue and historical survey of first experiments in Rocketry'' <ref>{{Cite book|url=https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1178426|title=Rocket mail catalogue and historical survey of first experiments in Rocketry|last=Smith|first=Stephen H.|date=1955|publisher=F. Billig|edition=2d rev.|series=Billig's specialized catalogue|location=Jamaica, N.Y}}</ref> | *1955: ''Rocket mail catalogue and historical survey of first experiments in Rocketry'' <ref>{{Cite book|url=https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1178426|title=Rocket mail catalogue and historical survey of first experiments in Rocketry|last=Smith|first=Stephen H.|date=1955|publisher=F. Billig|edition=2d rev.|series=Billig's specialized catalogue|location=Jamaica, N.Y}}</ref> | ||
*1980: ''From the diary of Stephen Smith'' compiled by Deoki Nandan Jatia for the Philatelic Congress of India.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2984136|title=From the diary of Stephen Smith| | *1980: ''From the diary of Stephen Smith'' compiled by Deoki Nandan Jatia for the Philatelic Congress of India.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2984136|title=From the diary of Stephen Smith|last1=Smith|first1=Stephen H.|last2=Jatia|first2=D. N.|date=1980|publisher=The Congress|others=Philatelic Congress of India|location=New Delhi}}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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{{Authority control}} | {{Authority control}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT: | {{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Stephen}} | ||
[[Category:1891 births | [[Category:1891 births]] | ||
[[Category:1951 deaths | [[Category:1951 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:Anglo-Indian people]] | [[Category:Anglo-Indian people]] | ||
[[Category:Indian aerospace engineers | [[Category:Indian aerospace engineers]] | ||
[[Category:Rocket scientists]] | [[Category:Rocket scientists]] | ||
[[Category:Engineers from Assam]] | [[Category:Engineers from Assam]] | ||
[[Category:20th-century Indian engineers]] | [[Category:20th-century Indian engineers]] | ||
[[Category:People from Shillong]] | [[Category:People from Shillong]] | ||
Latest revision as of 08:23, 12 February 2026
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2018) |
Stephen H. Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 14 February 1891[1][2] |
| Died | 15 February 1951 (aged 60) |
| Burial place | Lower circular Road cemetery, Kolkata [2] |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Alma mater | St. Patrick's High School College of Physicians and Surgeons of Bengal[1] |
| Occupation | Dentist |
| Employer | Calcutta Customs Calcutta Police |
| Known for | Pioneered Aerophilately in India |
| Spouse(s) | Fay Harcourt ( m. 1918) |
| Children | Hector Smith |
| Parent(s) |
|
| Signature | |
 | |
Stephen Hector Taylor-Smith (14 February 1891 – 15 February 1951)[1][3][2] often known as Stephen Smith, was a pioneering Indian aerospace engineer who developed techniques in delivering mail by rocket.
Unlike Friedrich Schmiedl, whom the Austrian Authorities banned from further experimenting, Smith was encouraged in his experiments by Indian Officials. In the ten-year span of his experiments (1934–1944), Smith made some 270 launches, including at least 80 rocket mail flights.
Early life[edit | edit source]
He was born on 14 February at Strawberry Hill, in Shillong, Assam. As a boy, along with other schoolmates Smith attempted to transport live garden lizards in rockets over the swimming pool of St. Patrick's School, Asansol. He attended St. Patrick's from 1903 to 1911. Smith was the first rocket experimenter to successfully transport foodstuff, medicine and livestock via rockets.
Smith worked as a customs official, a policeman and a dentist. He became the Secretary of the Indian Airmail Society, and combined his work with his interest in rocketry. His first launch was on 30 September 1934, experimenting with 270 more by 4 December 1944. 80 of these contained mail, and his achievements include the first successful rocket mail sent over a river and the first rocket to carry a parcel.
Mail rockets[edit | edit source]
On 30 September 1934, he launched his first mail rocket, using a rocket made locally by the Orient Firework Company of Calcutta. The flight was a ship-to-shore launch, The rocket carrying 143 covers, left the D.V. Pansy and exploded mid-air scattering the mail over the sea. 140 covers were recovered and taken to the Sagar Lighthouse, where the keeper postmarked the mail. This was followed by: shore-to-ship, night, and miniature newspaper flights.
Smith's flights in Sikkim, a British Protectorate in the eastern Himalayas, received official sanction from ruler of Sikkim, Tashi Namgyal.[2] Here he carried out 20 successful rocket experiments and achieved the first rocket parcel mail. The Oriental Fireworks Company supplied Smith with 16 rockets between 23 March 1935 and 29 June 1935. Between them, these "Silver Jubilee" flights carried over a thousand covers.
Smith made history once again, when he used his rockets to carry a food package across a river to the Quetta region, which had suffered an earthquake. The package contained: rice, grain, spices, biris (Indian cigarettes) and 150 rocketgrams.
Achievements[edit | edit source]
Stephen Smith also effected the world's first livestock transport when on 29 June 1935, a rocket carried a cock and hen together with 189 rocketgrams across the river Damodar.[4] Both animals survived the flight and were donated to a private zoo in Calcutta. A later effort, successfully carried; a snake (Miss Creepy), an apple and 106 covers. Smith demonstrated his experiments during the war years, few items of mail were carried on these flights, The last series of rockets were gas propelled and the last flight took place on 4 December 1944.
Smith died on 15 February 1951. He is known as the "Father of Aerophilately" in India. The Department of Posts in India issued a commemorative stamp on 19 December 1992 honouring this Anglo-Indian pioneer of airborne mail.[5][6][7]
Publications[edit | edit source]
List of books published as author.[1]
- 1926: Indian Airways Part I
- 1927: Indian Airways Part II
- 1930: Indian Airways Part III
- 1927: The World Flyer's Danger Zone
- 1955: Rocket mail catalogue and historical survey of first experiments in Rocketry [8]
- 1980: From the diary of Stephen Smith compiled by Deoki Nandan Jatia for the Philatelic Congress of India.[9]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Cooper, Jal (1942). Stamps of India. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Indian Stamp Collectors Association: Stephen Smith Commemoration Issue" (PDF). 1992. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ↑ Zarif, Mannan Mashhur (8 March 2015). "By rocket I go!". The Daily Star. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
- ↑ Maksel, Rebecca (1 July 2011). "When Missiles Delivered the Mail". Air & Space Magazine. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
- ↑ "Commemorative Postage Stamps of India".
- ↑ "Stamped on time". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
- ↑ "Sagar rocket scientist's envelopes fetch Rs 65000 in auction - Times of India". The Times of India. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ↑ Smith, Stephen H. (1955). Rocket mail catalogue and historical survey of first experiments in Rocketry. Billig's specialized catalogue (2d rev. ed.). Jamaica, N.Y: F. Billig.
- ↑ Smith, Stephen H.; Jatia, D. N. (1980). From the diary of Stephen Smith. Philatelic Congress of India. New Delhi: The Congress.
External links[edit | edit source]
- "Stephen Smith" at King George V Silver Jubilee. Accessed 5 September 2005.
- "Indian Rocket Mail Detail" at King George V Silver Jubilee. Accessed 5 September 2005.
- "India's Forgotten Rocketeer" www.astrotalkuk.org Includes video interview with Melvyn Brown who met Smith's son, Hector.