The Jet Engine

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The jet engine is a great mechanical piece of engineering. It has been used in almost all aircraft since its invention. This one improvement in aircraft allowed aircraft to fly higher, faster, and more efficient. The turbocharged engine invented by GE was the main building block for other engines. Since its invention, the jet engine has been the workhorse for all jet powered aircraft. General Electric was one of the first companies to build a turbocharged jet engine. GE hired Alexander Moss in 1918 to build an engine with a booster, or turbocharger on a piston engine. This made airplanes fly higher and faster (General Electric). The first flight of the 350 horsepower, turbocharged liberty aircraft engine took place at Pikes Peak at about 14,000 feet throughout the year of 1918 (General Electric). Then, GE built an engine in 1941 based on Sir Frank Whittle’s designs and called it the I-A engine. This powered the Bell XP-59A airacomet aircraft (General Electric). The I-A engine had a centrifugal-flow compressor and so did other engines built by GE over the next two years. After the I-...

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