He was an Australian scientist, best known for inventing and developing the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder( Black boxes). He was the first European child to be born on Groote Eylandt. David was involved in the accident investigations related to the mysterious crash of the world’s first jet-powered aircraft, the Comet, in 1953.
Background
While a student at the University of Sydney, David met Ruth Meadows, who became his wife and lifetime supporter. Together, they have raised a family and shared an interest in science and education, arranging many educational tours in conjunction with international conferences. Now retired, David and Ruth live in Caulfield South, Victoria, in regular contact with their four children and seven grandchildren.
Warren died 19 July 2010, at age 85, in Melbourne. He was buried in a casket bearing the label "Flight Recorder Inventor; Do Not Open".
Career
In 2007, Warren was included on the "Top 100 living geniuses" list compiled by a panel of six experts in creativity and innovation from Creators Synectics. In November 2008, Qantas named one of their Airbus A380s after Warren in honour of his services to aviation.
David has also served in many voluntary positions, including as chairman of the Combustion Institute (Aust & NZ Section) for 25 years (1958-83), and as a committee member of the Chemical Society, the Institute of Fuel, and the Australian Institute of Energy.
David's other interests have included lecturing and organising meetings for the Council of Adult Education, Probus Groups, the Forum Society, the Rationalist Society, and the Morris Minor Car Club of Victoria, of which he has been founding chairman and patron for 25 years (1977-2002).