FOKKER, ANTHONY (ANTON HERMAN GERARD)

(1890–1939)

   Self-made aircraft manufacturer. Fokker’s father sent him for mechanics training in Germany in 1910, where he constructed his first propeller airplane, called the Spider. In 1912, he started Fokker Aeroplanbau, near Berlin. During World WarI, Fokker con structed excellent airplanes for the German army. Because German aircraft were forbidden after the war, he returned to his native coun try and, with the support of his family, started a Dutch company in 1919. Three years later, however, he moved to the United States to establish another successful company. “The Flying Dutchman,” as he was called, became a U.S. citizen. The Dutch Fokker company sub sequently had many ups and downs. During World War II, the fac tories were completely destroyed. In 1951, a new factory was built next to Schiphol Airport. The Fokker “Friendship” subsequently be came one of world’s best-selling planes. Despite its successful planes, Fokker went bankrupt in 1996. Parts of the original company, such as the space travel division, managed to succeed as independent enterprises.