Here are some key figures and developments in the early history of aircraft engines:
* 1873: Étienne Lenoir built the first internal combustion engine, which was a significant step towards the development of aircraft engines.
* 1893: Rudolf Diesel developed the diesel engine, which later found applications in aviation.
* 1903: The Wright brothers built the first successful airplane, using a 12 horsepower gasoline engine of their own design.
* 1908: Glenn Curtiss developed a more powerful and reliable engine, which helped to advance the development of aviation.
* 1910: Louis Blériot crossed the English Channel in an aircraft powered by a 25 horsepower engine, demonstrating the growing potential of aviation.
Throughout the early 20th century, several companies, including Gnome, Le Rhône, Hispano-Suiza, and Rolls-Royce, made significant contributions to the development of aircraft engines.
The development of aircraft engines was truly a collaborative effort, with numerous individuals and companies playing vital roles in shaping the technology that powered the first successful flights and continue to power our modern aircraft.