What were planes powered by before jet engines?

Before jet engines, aircraft were powered by reciprocating engines, commonly known as piston engines. These engines generate power through the movement of pistons within cylinders and use various fuels such as gasoline or diesel. Reciprocating engines have been used in aviation since the early 1900s and dominated air transportation until the widespread adoption of jet engines in the late 1940s.

Types of reciprocating engines employed in aircraft include:

1. Inline Engines: In inline engines, multiple cylinders are arranged in a single row parallel to the crankshaft.

2. Radial Engines: Radial engines feature multiple cylinders positioned radially around a central crankshaft. These engines were popular in smaller aircraft due to their simplicity and relatively compact size.

3. V-type Engines: V-type engines have cylinders arranged in two banks at an angle, usually around 60 or 90 degrees. They were used in a range of aircraft from small planes to commercial airliners.

The early piston-powered aircraft relied on propellers to provide thrust. The propellers, connected to the engine, rotate rapidly, generating sufficient lift and propulsive force to keep the aircraft in the air.

By harnessing the power of reciprocating engines, early aviation pioneers pushed the boundaries of flight and set the stage for further innovations that ultimately led to the era of jet propulsion.