The loss of his father early in his life led to David Warren’s fascination with electronics.  Although he grew up to be a scientist who specialised in chemistry, particularly aviation fuels and early rocketry, his little invention, a flight data and voice recorder, made a contribution to flight safety that has left a lasting legacy.

David Warren with his original recorder device.

The NTSB recover a Flight Data recorder from a crash site.

A modern Flight Data Recorder.

Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to the Australian Government Department of Defence, YSSYguy, Meggar and the NTSB.