A hovercraft can travel over both land and water. Who invented the modern hovercraft?

Introduction / Context:
The hovercraft is a unique vehicle that rides on a cushion of air and can move over land, water, mud and other surfaces. This dual capability made it an exciting innovation in transportation technology in the twentieth century. The question asks you to recognise the inventor of the modern hovercraft, whose work allowed this type of craft to transition from concept to practical design.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The subject is the modern hovercraft, a vehicle that hovers on air and travels over multiple surfaces.
• The options are abbreviated names, but only one represents the correct inventor.
• You are expected to recall the surname associated with hovercraft design.
• There are no extra clues in the alternatives, so you must rely on memory of inventor names.

Concept / Approach:
Sir Christopher Cockerell, a British engineer, is credited with inventing the modern hovercraft. He developed the concept of using directed airflow and a skirt to trap air under the vehicle, creating a cushion that lifts it slightly above the surface. This innovation led to the first practical hovercraft prototypes and later to commercial and military hovercraft applications. The other names in the options, such as S. Sperrow, O. Stricheg and T. Henman, do not correspond to recognised inventors of hovercraft technology and are included as distractors.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the vehicle described, capable of travelling over both land and water on a cushion of air, is a hovercraft.Step 2: Recall from general knowledge that Sir Christopher Cockerell is known for inventing the modern hovercraft.Step 3: Match this surname with the options and find C. Cockerell as option A.Step 4: Recognise that the other abbreviated names are not associated with hovercraft invention in any standard references.Step 5: Select C. Cockerell as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Transport history sources and encyclopedias consistently credit Christopher Cockerell with the hovercraft invention. Photographs and articles about the first hovercraft prototypes often mention his name alongside the development timeline. No credible account connects the other options to this technology. This uniform recognition across sources confirms that Cockerell is the correct inventor to remember for exam questions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
S. Sperrow, O. Stricheg and T. Henman are not known in mainstream science or engineering histories as contributors to hovercraft development. They appear only as distractor initials in this question. Choosing any of them would mean ignoring the widely documented role of Christopher Cockerell. Therefore, options B, C and D are incorrect in the context of hovercraft invention.

Common Pitfalls:
Because the options are presented with initials rather than full names, candidates may be unsure or may guess randomly. Some may also confuse hovercraft with other amphibious vehicles or aircraft. To avoid such errors, link the words hovercraft and Cockerell together in your memory. This simple association helps you respond quickly when similar questions appear in general knowledge tests.

Final Answer:
The modern hovercraft was invented by Sir Christopher Cockerell, represented here as C. Cockerell.