Anthony Fokker

Lore & Background

Anthony Fokker was born in Blitar, Dutch East Indies, to a coffee plantation owner. When he was four, his family returned to the Netherlands and settled in Haarlem. He was not a studious boy and did not complete high school, but showed an early interest in mechanics, experimenting with model trains, steam engines, and model aeroplane designs. In 1910, aged 20, he was sent to Germany to train as an automobile mechanic, but transferred to a flying school. He built his first aircraft, 'de Spin', which was destroyed when his business partner flew it into a tree. He gained his flying certificate in a second 'Spin', also destroyed by the same partner. On 1 September 1911, he became a celebrity by flying around the tower of the Grote or St.-Bavokerk in Haarlem with the third version of the 'Spin'.

Reader's Guide

Fokker's significance lies in his role as a major supplier of fighter aircraft to Germany during World War I, including iconic types like the Eindecker, Dr.I triplane, and D.VII biplane. After the Treaty of Versailles forbade German aircraft production, he moved his business to the Netherlands, where his company produced the successful Fokker F.VII/3m trimotor passenger aircraft. His legacy is complicated by later accounts describing him as personally charismatic but unscrupulous in business and a controversial character. Authors note disputes over his design contributions, with some suggesting that his staff, particularly Martin Kreuzer and Reinhold Platz, were the true designers of key aircraft. Fokker died in New York City in 1939.

Did You Know?

• Fokker was born in Blitar, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), and some sources say he was born in Kediri.
• He gained his flying certificate in his second 'Spin' aircraft, which was destroyed by his business partner.
• On 1 September 1911, he flew around the tower of the Grote or St.-Bavokerk in Haarlem, becoming a celebrity.
• After World War I, Fokker moved his business to the Netherlands because the Treaty of Versailles imposed severe restrictions on military aircraft production, not a total ban on aircraft production.