Harry Ferguson - Short Films
This series of short films have been produced by Subculture Media in partnership with NI Screen and the Ulster Scots Broadcast Fund.
This captivating five-part documentary series traces the remarkable journey of one of the most innovative figures in early aviation.
From his humble beginnings on a farm in Ulster to his pioneering contributions to flight, the series explores various aspects of Harry Ferguson's quest to conquer the skies.
This series celebrates not just Ferguson’s technical achievements but his undying spirit and enduring impact on the field of aviation, inspiring future generations to pursue their dreams with the same courage and determination.
These resources have been developed for post-primary teachers for use in their classroom. We would ask you to consider using these materials as stimulus material in your classroom. These films can be used to assist with many topics, including for subjects such as physics, English Language / Literature, LLW, History etc.
If you use these, we would love to get some feedback on how you incorporated these in your lessons! Have you created a wall display using these films as inspiration?
Email: sectoralsupport@eani.org.uk to share your students work on this site.
The series kicks off by exploring Ferguson's early fascination with machinery and his relentless pursuit to design and build his own aircraft, culminating in his historic flight that marked him as a key figure in Irish aviation.
Next, it follows Ferguson as he immerses himself in the burgeoning world of aviation, learning from the era’s greatest minds and overcoming the technical challenges of early flight to enhance his own designs.
The third part witnesses Ferguson’s struggle and triumph in mastering the intricate mechanics of the JAP engine, transforming it from a problematic unit into the powerful heart of his aircraft.
The fourth instalment joins Ferguson on his technical and physical journey to perfect aircraft control and stability, exploring his innovative solutions to achieving balanced and controlled flight.
The series concludes with the highs and lows of Ferguson's attempts to secure his place in aviation history, facing down technical setbacks, severe weather, and personal risk to ultimately achieve the first official airplane flight in Ireland.