The Whittle W.1 was an early turbojet engine designed by British engineer Frank Whittle. Developed in the late 1930s, it was one of the first jet engines to be used in aircraft, marking a significant advancement in aviation technology. The engine operated on the principle of compressing air, mixing it with fuel, and igniting the mixture to produce thrust. The W.1 engine powered the Gloster E.28/39, the first British jet aircraft to fly, in 1941. Its design laid the groundwork for future jet engines, influencing the development of modern aviation. The Whittle W.1 represented a pivotal moment in the transition from propeller-driven planes to jet-powered flight.