1-193-497 - National Motor Museum/Heritage Images

Charles Rolls at the wheel of a 1904 Royce car, c1904. Rolls set up business selling French and Belgian cars before going into partnership with Henry Royce, having been very impressed by the cars Royce was producing, forming the motor car and engine manufacturing company Rolls-Royce in 1904. The same year Rolls crossed the English Channel by balloon, and in June 1910 made the first non-stop double crossing by aeroplane. The following month he was killed in a plane crash. The Duke of Connaught is in the passenger seat.