The History of Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc.

Introduction

In 1959, Chris Fitzgerald, the founder of Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc., happened to view a television program about the British Saunders Roe Nautical Model One (SRN1) crossing the English Channel. He was 15 years old, living in Melbourne, Australia, and this program sparked in Fitzgerald a dream that would become his life's work: to invent a smaller version of the hovercraft and market it to the world.

Today, Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc. is the world’s original and most experienced light hovercraft manufacturer, with clientele in 50 nations, and Neoteric light hovercraft are recognized as the industry standard for rescue, commercial and recreational hovercraft.

We share with you the detailed history, with photographs, of how a young man’s dream evolved into a global industry …

1959-1969: The Early Years - AACVD5; World’s First Hovercraft Race …

1970-1979: The Second Decade - Neova 1; Neoteric Hovercraft USA; Hoverclub of America …

1980-1989: The Third Decade - Racer/Questrek; Disney World hovercraft dragons; Light Hovercraft Design Manual …

1990-1999: The Fourth Decade - Junkyard Wars; Hovertrek; Hoverlifter; Workhorse; Hovercraft water rescues …

2000- present: The 21st Century: Worldwide expansion; 6-passenger hovercraft; World Hovercraft Championship; DiscoverHover …