Frank Whittle

On May 24, 1930, Whittle first married Dorothy Mary Lee. The couple was blessed with two sons, David and Ian.

In 1976, he divorced Dorothy and married American Hazel S Hall and emigrated to US.

Over the course of his life, Whittle suffered from health issues. He faced stress related ailments and took drugs to keep him wide awake through the day and fast asleep by the night.

Frank Whittle was the eldest son born to Moses Whittle and Sara Alice Garlick on June 1, 1907 in Earlsdon Coventry, England.

Academically brilliant, Whittle, completed his studies from Milverton School, and gained a scholarship to study at Leamington College for Boys. However, financial constraints led him to leave his studies midway.

His father’s Leamington Valve and Piston Ring Company gave Whittle his first exposure to tools and single-cylinder gas engine of which he later became an expert. He soon developed practical engineering skills.

Whittle’s interest in aviation helped him serve as aircraft apprentice for Royal Air Force (RAF). However, due to diminutive stature, he started training as an aircraft mechanic.

He enrolled in the officer training program in RAF Cranwell. The training gave him his first flying experience. Whittle soon gained a reputation for daredevil low flying and aerobatics.

While a cadet, Whittle submitted a thesis on potential aircraft design developments through which he argued that for flights to fly at high altitudes, with greater speed and covering longer range, a new motor engine would be required.

In 1928, he graduated from Royal Air Force College to be commissioned as a Pilot Officer. He joined No. 111 Squadron, flying over the Siskin Ills. Following year, he was posted to the Central Flying School for flying instructor’s course.

It was while in Central Flying School that Whittle’s engine concept gained attention. The design was appreciated by Flying Officer Pat Johnson who soon took it to the commanding officer.

Whittle’s major contribution has been as the inventor of jet engine. It was while working on his thesis that the idea first struck him of a powerful engine that would allow flights at high altitude and greater speed. To pursue the same, he set on a mission and soon realized it when the first prototype of the jet engine came into being in 1937.

Awards & Achievements

For his remarkable contribution in the development of jet engine, he was bestowed with numerous honors including Order of the Merit, Order of the Bath, Louis E Levy Medal, Commander of the Legion of Merit, Royal Society of Arts Albert Medal, and so on.

He was made Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Military Division.

He was made Fellow of the Royal Society and Honorary Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.