Thomas Moy and the creation of the first hydrofoil
Thomas Moy was a 19th-century British inventor, little known to the general public today. An enthusiast for engineering and aeronautics, and a member of the Aeronautical Society, he set about designing an experimental hydrofoil craft in 1861. Thomas Moy's introduction to aeronautics was through balloons, but he soon turned his attention to heavier-than-air flight.
Moy's invention consisted of a lightweight wooden structure with three flat horizontal surfaces under the hull. These surfaces, similar to modern foils, were designed to reduce water resistance by creating lift. The engineer tested his invention on London's Surrey Canal. Pulled by what was probably a steamboat, the boat lifted itself out of the water. Although rudimentary, the craft demonstrated a fundamental concept: it is possible to minimize friction by relying on hydrodynamic forces.
While his aim was to study the principles of aerodynamics, he unwittingly laid the foundations for the foil, the technology that enables boats to rise above the water.
An idea (too) ahead of its time
Despite his prowess, the times were not ready to fully exploit Thomas Moy's invention. The materials available were limited, and propulsion was still steam-powered, making it impossible to reach the speeds required for efficient foiling. It wasn't until the 19th century that engineers such as Enrico Forlanini, Alexander Graham Bell and the Frenchmen Emmanuel Denis Farcot and Gustave Trouvé took up the idea and perfected it. These pioneers helped foils evolve into modern applications.
The development of foils in the 19th century
In 1869, mechanical engineer Emmanuel Farcot filed his first foil patent. He created a boat with lateral hydrofoils. In 1906, Enrico Forlanini designed the first hydrofoil concept, capable of reaching speeds of 38 knots thanks to a 75 hp internal combustion engine and counter-rotating propellers. His craft was equipped with 4 sets of foils, one forward, one aft and two side foils.
Alexander Graham Bell and his collaborator Casey Baldwin also worked on hydrofoil hydroplanes, making significant advances in the 1910s. This work laid the foundations for modern hydrofoils, capable of high performance thanks to improved materials and propulsion techniques. The development of hydrofoils continued throughout the 19th century, with a variety of applications in the military, commercial and leisure sectors.
Thomas Moy's legacy in modern navigation
Today, foils are ubiquitous in the world of ocean racing. They can be found on the smallest of racing boats, the Mini 6.50, as well as on the big trimarans in the Ultim class, the IMOCA boats in the Vendée Globe, the Figaro Bénéteau boats, and also in a variety of board sports: kitefoil, wingfoil...
Foils are not just reserved for sport sailing, since many passenger shuttles are equipped with them, notably in Greece, and even some motorboats, like SeaAir, a forerunner in the field.
Although Thomas Moy didn't develop them directly, his concept was a major source of inspiration for future generations. This visionary invention illustrates how an idea can transcend its time and have a lasting influence on technology.
