Did you know that the world’s first jet flight happened right here? This 27. August 1939 Stone marks a pivotal moment in aviation history. It commemorates the first flight of the Heinkel He 178.
Let’s delve into the story of this groundbreaking aircraft. The Heinkel He 178 was developed in Rostock by the Ernst Heinkel Flugzeugwerke. Ernst Heinkel founded the company in Warnemünde in 1922. His airplane factory put Rostock on the world map. It marked a breakthrough in industrialization.
Rostock became a modern metropolis. It was a high-tech location. The Heinkel He 178’s first flight occurred on August 27, 1939. This marked the beginning of the jet age. The He 178 used a turbine jet engine. It was a revolutionary design. Erich Warsitz was the pilot for this historic flight.
The Heinkel aircraft plants were incredibly inventive. They held 1352 patents in aviation. They also had 587 rights in the engine area. States like Sweden and Japan acquired Heinkel machines or licenses.
Heinkel’s inventions included board catapults. These catapults launched aircraft from fast steamers. This allowed for faster transatlantic mail delivery. The Heinkel He 70 was the world’s fastest commercial airplane in 1932. It featured modern monocoque construction. It also had retractable landing gear. The Heinkel He 111 started as a fast airliner. Later it became the Luftwaffe’s standard bomber.
The Heinkel He 176 was the first aircraft with a controllable rocket engine in 1939. The company also developed the first turbojet. The development of the ejection seat also happened in 1939.
During World War II, Ernst Heinkel AG was the largest company in its industry. In 1945, about 17000 workers were employed in Rostock. Among them were forced laborers. These included prisoners of war and concentration camp inmates.
After the war, the Allies confiscated the Heinkel area. The plants and buildings were dismantled. Bombing raids had already heavily damaged them. Today, a windowless brick wall remains. It is a historical monument since 1993. It’s a reminder of the Heinkel Factory.
From the remaining bricks, a building was constructed in 1954. It served as the administration building for the Fischkominat of Rostock. Some believe the STASI used the building. This is because of a large telephone system in the basement. Since 2004, the brick building has been a hotel. It hosts up to 10000 guests a year.
So, as you stand before this stone remember the Heinkel He 178. This is where the future of flight took off. It embodies innovation. It is also a reminder of Rostock’s contributions to aviation history.