Native Name: | Пётр Петрович Шиловский |
Native Name Lang: | ru |
Birth Name: | Pyotr Petrovich Schilovsky |
Birth Date: | September 22, 1872 |
Death Date: | Herefordshire |
Death Place: | June 30, 1955 |
Occupation: | Inventorpolitician |
Known For: | Inventing the gyrocar |
Pyotr Petrovich Schilovsky (Russian: Пётр Петрович Шиловский) (September 22, 1872 – June 30, 1955 in Herefordshire) was a Russian count, jurist, statesman, and governor of Kostroma from 1910 to 1912 and of Olonets Governorate from 1912 to 1913.[1] He is best known as the inventor of the gyrocar, which was built under his direction by the Wolseley Tool and Motorcar Company beginning in 1912, and was demonstrated for the first time in London in April 1914. In 1922, Schilovsky emigrated to the United Kingdom.
The gyrocar was rediscovered in 1938, when workmen uncovered its remains in the Ward End property of Wolseley. Although it had been buried it was said the chassis was in excellent condition, the engine turned over and the gyros still pivoted, the main issue was damage to the aluminium bodywork. After being excavated, it was transferred into the Wolseley Museum.[2]