Genius Of The Jet | The Invention Of The Jet Engine: Frank Whittle | HD Documentary

The story of Frank Whittle, RAF pilot, mathematician of genius, inventor of the jet engine and British hero.
In 1929, a twenty-two-year-old maverick named Frank Whittle - a self-taught aeronautical obsessive and risk-takingly brilliant RAF pilot - presented a blueprint for a revolutionary, jet-powered aircraft engine to the Air Ministry. His idea had the potential to change the course of history, but it was summarily rejected.
Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle, OM, KBE, CB, FRS, FRAeS (1 June 1907 – 8 August 1996) was an English engineer, inventor and Royal Air Force (RAF) air officer. He is credited with inventing the turbojet engine. A patent was submitted by Maxime Guillaume in 1921 for a similar invention which was technically unfeasible at the time. Whittle's jet engines were developed some years earlier than those of Germany's Hans von Ohain, who designed the first-to-fly (but never operational) turbojet engine.

Whittle demonstrated an aptitude for engineering and an interest in flying from an early age. At first he was turned down by the RAF but, determined to join the force, he overcame his physical limitations and was accepted and sent to No. 2 School of Technical Training to join No 1 Squadron of Cranwell Aircraft Apprentices. He was taught the theory of aircraft engines and gained practical experience in the engineering workshops. His academic and practical abilities as an Aircraft Apprentice earned him a place on the officer training course at Cranwell. He excelled in his studies and became an accomplished pilot. While writing his thesis he formulated the fundamental concepts that led to the creation of the turbojet engine, taking out a patent on his design in 1930. His performance on an officers' engineering course earned him a place on a further course at Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he graduated with a First.

Without Air Ministry support, he and two retired RAF servicemen formed Power Jets Ltd to build his engine with assistance from the firm of British Thomson-Houston. Despite limited funding, a prototype was created, which first ran in 1937. Official interest was forthcoming following this success, with contracts being placed to develop further engines, but the continuing stress seriously affected Whittle's health, eventually resulting in a nervous breakdown in 1940. In 1944 when Power Jets was nationalised he again suffered a nervous breakdown, and resigned from the board in 1946.

In 1948, Whittle retired from the RAF and received a knighthood. He joined BOAC as a technical advisor before working as an engineering specialist with Shell, followed by a position with Bristol Aero Engines. After emigrating to the U.S. in 1976 he accepted the position of NAVAIR Research Professor at the United States Naval Academy from 1977 to 1979. In August 1996, Whittle died of lung cancer at his home in Columbia, Maryland. In 2002, Whittle was ranked number 42 in the BBC poll of the 100 Greatest Britons.

Whittle was born in a terraced house in Newcombe Road, Earlsdon, Coventry, England, on 1 June 1907, the eldest son of Moses Whittle and Sara Alice Garlick. When he was nine years old, the family moved to the nearby town of Royal Leamington Spa where his father, a highly inventive practical engineer and mechanic, purchased the Leamington Valve and Piston Ring Company, which comprised a few lathes and other tools and a single-cylinder gas engine, on which Whittle became an expert. Whittle developed a rebellious and adventurous streak, together with an early interest in aviation.

After two years attending Milverton School, Whittle won a scholarship to a secondary school which in due course became Leamington College for Boys, but when his father's business faltered there was not enough money to keep him there. He quickly developed practical engineering skills while helping in his father's workshop, and being an enthusiastic reader spent much of his spare time in the Leamington reference library, reading about astronomy, engineering, turbines, and the theory of flight. At the age of 15, determined to be a pilot, Whittle applied to join the RAF.

In January 1923, having passed the RAF entrance examination with a high mark, Whittle reported to RAF Halton as an Aircraft Apprentice. He lasted only two days: just five feet tall and with a small chest measurement, he failed the medical. He then put himself through a vigorous training programme and special diet devised by a physical training instructor at Halton to build up his physique, only to fail again six months later, when he was told that he could not be given a second chance, despite having added three inches to his height and chest Undeterred, he applied again under an assumed name and presented himself as a candidate at the No 2 School of Technical Training RAF Cranwell.

#turbojet #aviation #Whittle

[AbnEngrDan]

So under appreciated. Bureaucracy never changes, no matter the Era. People who specialize in nothing; who know nothing, who produce nothing...telling innovators and doers what will or will not work.

[johnfox]

When I was in my teens, I was privileged to know Sir Frank when he and his family lived just outside Chagford in Devon. His encouragement played a major part in my decision to study mechanical engineering at London, a decision I have never regretted. He was an inspiration then and he remains an inspiration to me to this day. What a brilliant mind, what a charming and practical mentor and friend! You will be forever missed.

[AllanSitte]

When I attended USAF Jet Engine Mechanics school, they taught us about the Whittle turbojet engine.
They had a Whittle engine in the school building where the non-moving sections were cut open cross-section to see the internal structures... and the turbine and shaft installed so that it was possible to rotate the turbine inside the display. The teaching of the Whittle engine was early in the training and was to teach fundamental concepts of jet engine function.
Thank you Sir Frank Whittle. You changed the world forever.

[EMan-cuzo]

Shows like these is why I no longer watch tv. This is interesting and informative, something the shows on television don’t any longer have.

[samhunt]

Sir Frank inspired me my whole life. From a boy dreamer to a corporate pilot. What a wonderful tribute to an unsung genius. R.I.P Sir....

[jimcaufman]

My journey in aviation has taken me from a U.S. Army Hiller H-23 to the B-777. I never in all my years flying, had an engine failure of for that matter an emergency. Unlike most pilots I am also a licensed aircraft mechanic and have been amazed at the complexity and at the same time the simplicity of the aircraft I have flown and maintained. The two most important improvements since the Wright brothers in aviation have been the jet engine and the introduction of computers to monitor aircraft systems. Learning more about Frank Whittle and his family has once again proven to me that politicians and bankers have done more to slow up progress of the human advancement. Thank you for sharing this Video.

[JoeRougeau]

Sir Frank Whittle, a man of genius and indomitable courage, shrunk the world. His example of self sacrifice, honor, and duty must never be forgotten,

[lirenzeng]

This man is so under appreciated. He changed the course of aviation history.

[mervhoward]

Throughout the whole of this film, I could feel overwhelming anger building and building because of the way this great, great man was treated. As a veteran of 38 years in the RAF, I feel I know, in a very small way, how it must have affected him. Unfortunately NOTHING has changed. Unqualified pencil pushing civil servants that wouldn’t know what a war was if it landed on their head, standing in the way of progress. RIP Sir Frank.

[kailebmonk]

20 years ago, I was in 7th grade and I did a presentation on Sir Frank Whittle and how undervalued he was. He remains one of my favorite World War era figures, though he is sadly less known. Thank you for putting this video together.

[MichealAnthonyGennaro]

Whittle was much more appreciated here in the USA. He was treated like royalty when he arrived at GE in Lynn, Massachusetts. I actually met the man in 1975 during a class field trip to the Jet Engine Museum at General Electric. I was only in the third grade and I wish I could have appreciated him more than my young age allowed.

[happychappie]

Many thanks for a Great presentation!
My father, Alexander Tupalski, escaped from Poland with great difficulty, and worked as a Mechanical engineer, on Jet Engine design, in the UK in 1942.
He moved to Turbomeca in Toulouse France in 1944.
He pioneered new methods of fabricating turbine discs, which up to then had been made from one piece of steel.
When Marchal Petain came to power and threatened to make France a communist country, we emigrated to Australia in 1951.
As there was no Aircraft industry in Australia at that time, My Father became Chief engineer on the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme.
He left us in 1980. .... A Tupalska in Thailand.

[michaelwest]

I met Sir Frank whilst working in Hong Kong. He gave fellow aviators a wonderful talk - with pictures, on his early years. An absolute priviledge to talk with him afterwords.

[donaldvincent]

A war hero who never fired a shot, and could have prevented many shots from being fired. RIP Mr Whittle. You earned it.

[allanb]

I am an engineer also British and so proud of what we have achieved with people like Whittle, I.K.Brunel, James Watt, Richard Trevithic, George Stevenson, John Stringfellow and Alan Turin.

[ChrisPyle]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate, one man changed the world with his brain and hard work. Kids need examples like this today more than ever.

[diGritz]

A humble, hard working man that stayed true to his dream and values and who's family has every right to be proud of.
We should all be so lucky to have that said of us. Nothing really more to be said then that.

[cinemaipswich]

What a marvelous story of a man who invented modern aviation. His duty to country and his love of flying were most deservedly honoured. I have always remember his name all my life. He was a genius, and he will never be forgotten.

[moonbaby]

After spending over 20 years working on aircraft in the RAF and over 30 years in the industry, this man deserves every accolade he will ever get.

[Dronescapes]

In these especially trying time for the UK, this documentary is a reminder of the many brilliant minds that came out of the Great Britain, despite all the adversities of his own establishment, Whittle managed to accomplish what his pears, for example in Germany, could work on with all the needed resources, and some more. It is a testament of how, even with everything against him and just a few supporters, the brilliant Whittle could accomplish incredible results from simple intuition and without specific knowledge. A true testament to his greatness and an inspiration for all, but especially British people