In 1949, Britain unveiled the de Havilland Comet, the world’s first commercial jet airliner, a sleek and futuristic aircraft that promised to revolutionize global travel. Powered by four turbojet ...

The throng of spectators, including famed airplane designer Sir Geoffrsey de Havilland, heard the earsplitting shriek before they saw the sleek, bullet-shaped aircraft burst out of the mist and hurtle ...