British RAF officer and engineer who patented the jet engine concept in 1930 and developed the first British jet aircraft engine, the Power Jets W.1, which powered the Gloster E.28/39 on its first flight in May 1941. Working largely in isolation and without early Air Ministry support, Whittle proved the viability of gas-turbine propulsion. The jet engine compressed flight times globally from days to hours and made modern air travel possible.

• Nationality: british
• Roles: inventor, engineer, pilot