Whittle, Frank (1907–1996)

English engineer. He patented the basic design for the turbojet engine in 1930. In the Royal Air Force he worked on jet propulsion 1937–46. In May 1941 the Gloster E 28/39 aircraft first flew with the Whittle jet engine. Both the German (first operational jet planes) and the US jet aircraft were built using his principles. He was knighted in 1948.

Whittle was born in Coventry and joined the RAF as an apprentice, later training as a fighter pilot. He had the idea for a jet engine in 1928 but could not persuade the Air Ministry of its potential until 1935, when he formed the Power Jets Company. He retired from the RAF with the rank of air commodore in 1948 and took up a university appointment in the USA.