Summary

  • The jet engine revolutionized the aviation industry, allowing for faster and more comfortable travel on commercial aircraft.
  • The modern jet engine was invented by Frank Whittle in 1930, but early skepticism and lack of support in the UK allowed Germany to take over jet engine development during World War II.
  • Jet engines have continually evolved and become more efficient over time, with leading manufacturers like CFM International, GE, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls-Royce working on advancements such as compatibility with alternative fuels and eventually hydrogen power.

The aviation industry has witnessed outstanding innovations over the years, introducing groundbreaking aeronautical technology in each era. The jet engine is one of the most important breakthroughs in aviation history, as it revolutionized how people fly. Whenever flying longer distances, the aircraft you board today will most likely be powered by this technology.

Although it is very prominent now, the technology wasn't used commercially until the middle of the last century. The modern jet engine was invented by Frank Whittle in 1930, and its capability to rapidly deliver products, transfer passengers and deploy artillery has changed how the world is run.

A simple explanation of the jet engine

Whether you have been on an aircraft or not, you've probably come across a jet engine. Most commercial aircraft in use today are powered by turbofan engines, a particular class of gas turbine engines. However, there are other types of jet engines, including the turbojet and the turbofan.

A P&W GTF engine on an Airbus A220.
Photo: Karolis Kavolelis / Shutterstock

A jet engine typically expels a stream of heated gas, generating thrust to move the aircraft forward. Before expulsion, the air goes through a number of stages, and the entire process is commonly known as "suck, squeeze, bang, blow."

During the first stage, the air is sucked into the engine through the fan, the most common part of the mechanism. The air is then forced into the combustion chamber, where it is compressed or squeezed, in this case, to increase pressure. The next stage involves mixing the compressed air jet fuel and igniting them. Gases formed from the ignition are then expelled from the engine, producing thrust and propelling the aircraft.

Want answers to more key questions in aviation? Check out the rest of our guides here.

Early skepticism

Frank Whittle was only in his early twenties when he thought of the idea of using a gas turbine for jet propulsion. The former Royal Air Force (RAF) officer applied for a patent in 1930; however, UK government institutions weren't interested in supporting or funding further research.

Germany had its own jet research program, and when his patent ran out in 1935, Whittle couldn't afford the five pounds to renew it. Therefore, the pioneer didn't receive any royalties for his invention, and the German research team took it over.

The Germans cultivated their research into jet engines to help their efforts leading into World War II. Aircraft manufacturer Ernst Heinkel provided funding to engineer Max Han and physicist Hans von Ohain to construct a new engine that ran on hydrogen.

As a result, the Heinkel He178 took off from Marienehe Aerodrome on August 27, 1939, and became the first-ever jet-powered aircraft. Fellow German Anselm Franz then developed the Jumo 004 engine, which had an axial-flow turbojet. This engine was used in the Messerschmitt Me262 in 1942, the first jet fighter plane in the skies during the Second World War.

Faster flights

Four years after the war, the British Overseas Aircraft Corporation (BOAC) flew the first-ever commercial jet-powered airliner on July 27, 1949. The British Airways predecessor then introduced the first-ever commercial jet service on May 2, 1952. The first flights on this de Havilland DH 106 Comet service flew from London to Johannesburg.

The flight's scenic route stopped in Rome, Beirut, Khartoum, Entebbe, and Livingstone. Passengers on these flights sat back at a speed of 480 miles per hour. This is over 2.5 times faster than the Douglas DC-3, one of the most popular commercial airliners ever. The DC-3's piston engine powered the aircraft to a cruising speed of around 180 miles per hour.

These jetliners didn't just revolutionize the speed of travel but also the comfort. The jets helped planes to become free from vibration, making them far less noisy than their counterparts.

Worldwide staple

Pan American World Airways helped catalyze jet engine use from the second half of the 20th century. In October 1955, The CEO of the iconic airline, Juan Trippe, ordered 45 jetliners to venture across the Atlantic.

These units included 20 Boeing 707s and 25 Douglas DC-8s. Pan Am launched its 707-powered New York-London route on October 26, 1958. This brought a new era for commercial aviation, with a record 111 passengers on the flight. This was the largest number of passengers to board a regularly scheduled service.

Pan Am and Boeing soon collaborated on a 707 model that could fly longer without refueling. Therefore, the 707-320 was introduced on August 15, 1959, to become the first true intercontinental service. This service saw passengers regularly fly between the two cities without any stop on the way for the first time.

A few decades later, in 1970, Boeing introduced the famous B747 model. This jet became the largest jet by passenger capacity at the time of its launch. Despite its large capacity, the aircraft still offered plenty of room for roaming.

Further development

Today the leading jet engine manufacturers are CFM International, General Electric (GE), Pratt & Whitney (PW), and Rolls-Royce, whose engines are found on the most popular and most technologically advanced aircraft worldwide. Although the turbofan concept has remained the same, jet engines have seen some notable developments since their introduction.

The UltraFan technology demonstrator from Rolls-Royce.
Photo: Rolls-Royce

They have become more efficient, with the General Electric GE9X and the Rolls-Royce UltraFan being among the most advanced. One of the most notable developments of the jet engine is its compatibility with alternative fuels. As the industry strives to achieve net-zero emissions, turbofans have become compatible with a certain percentage of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs).

Manufacturers are working to make them 100% SAF-compatible by 2030 and even exploring options for hydrogen power. Sights of the recognizable turbines can be seen on aircraft from all airline companies at airports and in the skies. Longer distances, quicker times, with greater comfort can all be achieved today thanks to the invention of this revolutionary engine.

What do you think of the evolution of jet engines? Let us know in the comments!