Geoffrey
de Havilland began designing aircraft for the Aircraft
Manufacturing Company (Airco) in 1914. He established the de
Havilland Company in 1920.
Famous de Havilland aircraft include the D.H.4
(designed while at Airco), the Moth series of light aircraft, the
Mosquito of World War II fame and the first jet airliner, the Comet.
De Havilland also designed and built aircraft
engines. The company's first engine was the Gipsy of
1928. The engine division became The de Havilland Engine
Company in 1944.
In 1960 de Havilland became part of Hawker
Siddeley Group, Ltd.
