Born Dessau, Germany, December 14, 1911. Conceived his
theories of a gas turbine powerplant for aircraft while
a student at Gottingen University in 1933, and built his
first working model in an auto repair shop for only $250.
In partnership with the Heinkel Aircraft Company developed
his engine to an operational model which resulted in the
world's first true jet powered flight on 27 August 1939, in
the Heinkel He-178 aircraft.
Emigrating to the United States in 1945, Von Ohain became a
leading jet engine engineer for the U. S. Air Force and
subsequently director of the USAF Research Laboratory for
Propulsion and Energy Conversion.
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