Peter Hobbs

Peter Wallace Hobbs (1916-2008) was an English engineer and businessman, who with William Russell, founded the now global electrical appliance company Russell Hobbs made famous for their design and introduction of the iconic electric kettle in the late 1950s. Early life Peter Hobbs was born in Langton, Tunbridge Wells and attended The Skinners' School. As a young man he enjoyed amateur drama, appearing in school productions, and Christopher Fry's Tunbridge Wells Repertory Players. After leaving school he joined his father working for the Weald Electricity Supply Company. Military service A year after the outbreak of the Second World War he joined the Royal Engineers and trained in Bangalore, and was commissioned as an officer in the Queen Victoria's Own Madras Sappers and Miners. In the Middle East he joined Paiforce (Persia and Iraq Force) where he was an adjutant to the commander of the Royal Engineers in the 6th Indian Division. After attending the Staff College at Quetta in Baluchistan, British India he was appointed Brigade Major at Sialkot in the Punjab.