Beatrice Shilling was a British aeronautical engineer, motorcycle racer and sports car racer. Shilling was born in Waterlooville, Hampshire on March 8th, 1909. As a child Shilling's passion lied with motorcycles and mechanic tools. With her interest, she spent her pocket money on hand tools, and won a prize in a national model construction (Meccano) contest. At 14, she was able to buy herself a motorcycle, which she taught herself how to dissemble and reassemble. Shilling was determined to become an engineer! After completing secondary school, Shilling worked at an electrical engineering company installing wires and generators for 3 years. She attained her bachelor's degree at the Victoria University of Manchester in 1932 and then pursed a Master of Science degree. Shilling's aspirations were clear, however as it was during the period of the Great Depression, finding a job was difficult. Shilling worked as a research assistant for a professor at the University of Brimingham, until she was recruited as a scientific officer at the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE). She worked as a technical author until she was able to start working on aircraft engines. Shilling was promoted various times within the RAE as many other engineers valued her hands on skills. Beatrice Shilling worked on various projects for the RAE, however probably one of her most best-known was the RAE Restrictor medicator, also known as Miss Shilling's Orifice. This particular project was developed during the Second World War, and it solved the problem of the Rolls-Royce Merlin aeroplane engines losing power during negative-g maneuverers. It was during the battle of France and the Battle of Britian in 1940, where RAF pilots discovered this issue, so Shilling devised this restrictor plate to solve the problem. After WWII, Shilling worked on a plethora of other projects, like the Blue Streak Missile and the effect of a wet runaway upon braking. Shilling also helped to design and build a bobsled for the Royal Air Force Olympic team. Apart from her engineering prospects, Shilling was also a motorcycle racer. She was one out of three women to receive the British Motorcycle Racing Club Gold Starts for lapping at over 100 miles per hour on a motorcycle at the Brooklands racetrack. Beatrice and her husband, George Naylor (RAF pilot), who she married in 1938, turned to racing cars after the second world war. They tuned and modified these cars in their home workshop and started racing. They scored a number of wins through their driving ambitions. Although Beatrice died in 1990, her legacy continues to inspire many within the world of STEM. Shilling was represented in numerous exhibitions, and there were many pubs, books, and buildings created in her honor.

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