Howard Theophilus Wright was born at Dudley, Worcestershire, in 1867, the second child of Grace Elizabeth and Joseph Wright. He had an elder sister, Grace Ellen, and two younger brothers, Warwick Joseph and Walter Stanford. He was educated at Manor House School and served an apprenticeship at his father's works, Joseph Wright & Co, which was alongside the canal at Tipton, Staffordshire. In 1889, the part of the works known as the Boiler Yard was sold to Hiram S. Maxim (later Sir), an entrepreneur of many interests including aviation, and Howard Wright became its manager. This led, on 6 May, 1899, to the formation of the Maxim Electrical & Engineering Export Ltd, and Howard continued as manager of its engineering department. At the turn of the century the Wright family moved to London. By then Howard was actively assisting Maxim with designs for steam generators and boilers and with Maxim's aerodynamic experiments using a whirling arm, and he interested himself in turbines. Meanwhile, Warwick and Walter Wright had formed an agency to promote their interests in motor cars. In November 1904, Howard Wright's association with Maxim ended when Howard bought back his own goodwill upon liquidation of Maxim's company. On 31 July, 1905, the various businesses of the Wright brothers were brought under the control of one company—Howard T. Wright Brothers Ltd. The company was registered with an office at Belgravia Chambers, 72 Victoria Street, London, S.W. 1, and an authorised capital of £10,000. Howard Wright and James Nicholson, an engineer, were joint managing directors, Warwick was appointed manager, and Walter, secretary, Henry Claude Walker being elected chairman.
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