The de Havilland Comet was the world's first commercial jet airliner, introduced in 1952. It was designed and manufactured by de Havilland, a British aerospace company. The Comet featured a sleek design and was capable of flying at high altitudes, which allowed for faster travel times compared to propeller-driven aircraft. Despite its innovative design, the Comet faced serious safety issues in the early years of operation, leading to several accidents. Investigations revealed structural failures due to metal fatigue, prompting significant design changes. The Comet's challenges ultimately paved the way for improvements in commercial aviation safety standards.