Manufacturer: Charlett Motorenbau GmbH, Berlin-Schöneberg, Grunewaldstrasse 88. 1921-1922
The Charlett was a side-valve cyclemotor of 195cc. The engine was also supplied to other manufacturers including DEFA. Production ceased in 1922 due, it appears, an accusation of the theft of intellectual property by the owner of the Gruhn engine company.
Translation of an extract on the court proceedings:
"... therefore, never represent an imitation. No component of our engine is a copy of the Gruhn engine; however, the Gruhn engine does show a striking resemblance to the "Zedell engine," which is patented under number 35692. We have not yet investigated to what extent the Gruhn engine is an imitation of the "Zedell engine," as neither engine interests us. Mr. Gruhn's claim that we obtained parts of his engine in order to copy it is a malicious slander, for which the Gruhn company will provide an accounting elsewhere. Not only does the Gruhn company engage in slander and misleading statements, but it also attempts to disparage our product by claiming that it is a new design; our engine is by no means an untested new design, but has been on the market in conjunction with a bicycle since 1912. We had no need to develop any engine. to imitate, since our designer, the well-known and experienced engine expert and pilot, Mr. Charlett, has, through many years of technical work at renowned companies, brought outstanding innovations to the industry in engine design, innovations that are more significant than Mr. Gruhn is likely to comprehend. Our new engines also incorporate further technical innovations, ..."
The marque is mentioned in Curt Hanfland's book Fahrrad-Hilfsmotor.
Willy Charlett received pilot's licence number 344 in December 1912.[1] He died in an aviation accident on Friday 23rd September 1927.
Sources: GTU Oldtimerservice; cyclemaster.wordpress.com; motor-hist-foto.de; Motopedia.
N.B. 1. Charlett's name does not appear in the 1912 German records which state that licence #344 was awarded to a pilot of a different name.
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