Dr. Hans Joachim Pabst von Ohain

1911 – 1998

Dr. Hans Joachim Pabst von Ohain was an engineer and physicist who invented the gas turbine (jet) engine in the 1930s while still in his native Germany. This invention opened a new era in transportation and warfare. He came to the United States after
the war and became a research scientist at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, where he continued to work on issues surrounding jet propulsion. In time he was appointed Chief Scientist of the Aerospace Research Laboratories. In 1973 he became Chief Scientist of the Aero Propulsion laboratory, assuming responsibility for maintaining the technical quality of U.S. Air Force research in air-breathing propulsion, power, and petrochemicals. His accomplishments in those areas won him national and international recognition. During his 32 years of government service Ohain published more than 30 technical papers, registered more than 19 U.S. patents and won numerous honors.