My neighbour Ron Hickman died in hospital this morning.
Ron is most famous for designing the Black & Decker workmate in the early 1970’s he is also responsible for much design work on the Lotus Elite and Elan sports cars of the 1960s.
He was a true gentleman, and will be missed by all.
By: J Boyle - 18th February 2011 at 17:39
I recall a story about him in Classic and Sports Car.
A talented man.
Condolences to friends and family, RIP.
By: Sky High - 18th February 2011 at 09:20
That’s good to know and from your comments he clearly enjoyed his life as well, which is good to know – not all inventors of simple but clever ideas benefit from them.
By: EN830 - 18th February 2011 at 09:09
Sky High, judging by his property, which is the heart shaped bit in the centre of this map, he was reasonably comfortable.
The place is quite unique, everything from the swimming pool to curtains and lights can be adjusted/controlled from a central control panel.
Flying A, I wouldn’t say he was a friend, an acquaintance and neighbour is probably a better description. I had the pleasure of photographing him racing his Lotus on several occasions.
By: Sky High - 18th February 2011 at 08:54
One of the key inventions of the last century and I hope it kept him in comfortable retirement until his sad death.
By: Flying-A - 18th February 2011 at 03:42
EN830:
Condolences on your friend’s passing.
A B&D Workmate commercial from the States at 4:24:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y56DDSLBHNA
The man in the commercial was retired football star Bob Lilly of the Dallas Cowboys. And yes, he got plenty of ribbing about building a boat in 30 seconds…..
By: PeeDee - 17th February 2011 at 23:04
Yes RIP.
We’ve all got one!
What else did he invent or patent?
Some years back there was a tribute program on the B&D Workmate. Maybe they will show it again.
Mr Director of B&D couldn’t believe his luck when Hickman displayed the workmate in the Boardroom. “A tool that every workman needs which doesn’t need a Motor”. They snapped his arm off for the copyright.
By: Creaking Door - 17th February 2011 at 23:03
I saw a documentary about Ron Hickman a long while back; the only things that I can really remember about it were that B&D had to sue no-end of manufacturers for making cheap copies of his ‘Workmate’ design and that he had the largest single piece of (domestic) glass ever fitted (back then) as a window in his house (in the Channel Islands).
I didn’t know about his Lotus work; funny the things that you remember.
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February 17, 2011 at 10:38 pm