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General
Electric's story begins before 1890 when Thomas Edison organized his
various businesses into the Edison General Electric Company.
Because of an expertise in power generating gas-turbines, the
company was approached by the U.S. Army first in 1917 to develop
turbochargers, then again in the 1940's to develop jet engines.
GE had already begun development of a turboprop
before hearing of Whittle's turbojet. GE was selected to
produce the W.2B under license. This experience quickly lead
the the I-40 and TG-180 (designated the J33 and J35). By 1946
both engines had been handed to Allison.
GE got back into the turbojet business with the
excellent J47 and has been one of the top aircraft engine companies
since. |
