The invention of the jet engine is attributed to Sir Frank Whittle, a British engineer and RAF officer. Whittle developed the concept of the jet engine in the 1920s and 1930s while he was a cadet at the RAF College Cranwell. He patented his turbojet engine design in 1930. Whittle’s early designs were met with skepticism and resistance from British government officials and military leaders, who initially doubted the feasibility and practicality of jet propulsion. However, Whittle persisted in his efforts, and in 1937, he established the Power Jets Ltd. company to further develop his jet engine designs.
During World War II, Whittle’s jet engine technology gained recognition and support, leading to the successful development and deployment of the Gloster E.28/39, the first British aircraft powered by a turbojet engine. The E.28/39 made its maiden flight in 1941, marking a significant milestone in the history of aviation.
After the war, jet engines rapidly became the dominant propulsion technology for military and commercial aircraft, revolutionizing air travel and warfare. Whittle’s pioneering work laid the foundation for the development of modern jet engines, which continue to power aircraft around the world today.