I used to think that General Electric, founded Thomas Edison, was involved in only developing electric appliances like the light bulb. Since when did it start to develop jet engines like the F404 used in the Hornets? Did Thomas Edison involved himself in jet engines?
2007-05-03 23:25:24 · 4 answers · asked by GeorgeRock 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
No, but Edison did work for the NAVY during WWI. He assisted in the development of RADAR technologies.
Edison formed well over 100 separate corporations by 1890. In 1890, he joined all these different groups to form the Edison General Electric Corp. In 1892, his main rival Thomson-Houston Company joined Edison to form General Electric.
Several of Edison's early business offerings are in fact still part of GE today, including lighting, transportation, industrial products, power transmission and medical equipment. The first GE Appliances electric fans were produced at the Ft. Wayne electric works as early as the 1890s, while a full line of heating and cooking devices were developed in 1907. GE Aircraft Engines, the division's name only since 1987, actually began its story in 1917 when the U.S. government began its search for a company to develop the first airplane engine "booster" for the fledgling U.S. aviation industry. Edison was still alive, but by this time had no function in GE operations. He was working on RUBBER manufacturing by this time here in SW Florida at his labatory and gardens were I currently work today.
Thomas Edison's experiments with plastic filaments for light bulbs in 1893 led to the first GE Plastics department, created in 1930.
2007-05-03 23:49:57 · answer #1 · answered by Bryan H 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. Jet engines did not exist until WW2. They were first developed by the German Air Force, or Luthwaffa, under Hitler. General Electric was fortunate enough to be on the winning side with the right connections and technologies to develop the jet engine for the US Government areter we had the originals from the Germans. GE makes just about everything. GE makes Nuclear Reactors, Submarines, toasters, Light bulbs, Jet Engines, Plastics, Morgages and Credit cards.
2007-05-03 23:45:39 · answer #2 · answered by daddyspanksalot 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
NO on the thomas edison bit developing jet engines part. GE is a massive company - one of the world's biggest, and they have their hands in a little bit of everything. They build lightbulbs, and jet engines, and locomotives, and household appliances, and they even own NBC and a 20% stake in Universal pictures
2007-05-03 23:34:26 · answer #3 · answered by Wiseyngsoul 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you've got to be kidding
2007-05-03 23:33:33 · answer #4 · answered by bprice215 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋