Who is credited with inventing the jet engine?

The invention of the jet engine is primarily credited to Sir Frank Whittle and Hans von Ohain, both of whom developed practical turbojet engines independently in the 1930s. Sir Frank Whittle, an English engineer and inventor, designed the first operational turbojet engine, which laid the foundation for modern jet propulsion. Meanwhile, Hans von Ohain, a German engineer, created a similar design that led to the first true operational jet aircraft powered by his engine.

The choice of Hero is not relevant to the question of the jet engine's invention. Hero of Alexandria was an ancient Greek engineer and inventor known for his work in mechanics and hydraulics, notably the aeolipile, which is often regarded as an early steam engine, but this was centuries before the development of jet propulsion technology.

Understanding the contributions of Whittle and von Ohain provides a significant context for the evolution of aviation technology, marking the shift from propeller-driven aircraft to jet-powered flight.