THE EIGHTIETH anniversary of the first successful test of the jet engine, which took place in Rugby, is being celebrated at a new exhibition at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum.
The exhibition, entitled British Thomson-Houston & Whittle, celebrates the moment in April 1937 Sir Frank revolutionised air travel while testing his invention at the company’s works in Leicester Road.
The exhibition also explores British Thomson-Houston’s (BTH) role in Rugby’s rich engineering heritage – manufacturing steam turbines, electric motors, generators and even light bulbs.
BTH was founded in 1894 and at its peak had a 20,000-strong workforce in the town.
The company amalgamated with Metropolitan Vickers in 1928 to form Associated Electrical Industries (AEI), which was taken over by the General Electric Company (GEC) in 1967.
British Thomson-Houston & Whittle includes a number of items connected to the first successful test of the jet engine, including a plaque which was unveiled at the site to mark the 50th anniversary of the historic moment and a model Armstrong Siddeley Viper 8 Mk Turbojet engine.
The exhibition also features a host of pieces from the British Thomson-Houston archives, including testing equipment, machine plates, photographs, company adverts and staff newsletters.
British Thomson-Houston & Whittle opened at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum on Friday (April 14) and runs until Saturday June 3.
Rugby Borough Council’s growth and investment Coun Heather Timms said: “British Thomson-Houston put Rugby on the engineering map and its legacy lives on to this day.
“The 80th anniversary of the first successful test of Sir Frank Whittle’s jet engine provides a perfect opportunity to celebrate the BTH story and a moment which revolutionised the way we travel.”
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