Powering the World's Airliners: Engine Developments from the Propeller to the Jet Age

This illustrated history traces the development of aircraft engines from propellers to turbofans. The book examines how propulsion and thrust became fundamental to aircraft design, beginning with the simple propellers of 1920s and 1930s airliners and progressing through turboprops and turbojets to modern engines. Aeronautical engineer Reiner Decher provides an accessible overview of engine technology for general readers, explaining the innovations that have powered commercial aviation over the past century. The book also covers aero engine development during World War II and its role in driving technological advancement, as well as the evolution of wing design from the early twentieth century onward. Extensive illustrations support the narrative, placing readers in the context of each major development and introducing key figures in aviation history. The book combines comprehensive technical information with an engaging presentation of the machines that power modern air travel.