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Materials Science
Thomas Edison and his researchers create a lightbulb filament that can incandesce for 1,200 hours. After experimenting with over 6,000 different materials, they hit upon carbonizing either paper or bamboo, baking the material until the cellulose effectively becomes carbon fiber. -
Materials Science
Thomas Edison and his researchers create a lightbulb filament that can incandesce for 1,200 hours. After experimenting with over 6,000 different materials, they hit upon carbonizing either paper or bamboo, baking the material until the cellulose effectively becomes carbon fiber. -
GE Research Lab’s
GE Research Lab’s William Coolidge creates the tungsten filament. Coolidge, tasked with creating a metal-based replacement for carbon light bulb filaments, devises a bendable piece of tungsten that becomes the industry standard. The ductile tungsten filament is still used in lightbulbs today. -
Jet Engine
Jet Engine
The GE supercharger makes its maiden flight over McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio. Army Major Rudolph “Shorty” Schroeder demonstrates GE’s new high-altitude technology, developed by Sanford Moss, ascending to 16,000 feet as his aircraft comfortably sustains power. Within a month, Schroder sets the first of many new world altitude records, ultimately climbing to 18,4000 feet. -
GE builds the first US jet engine, the I-A. It’s used
GE builds the first US jet engine, the I-A. It’s used the following year to power America’s first jet aircraft for military use, the Bell P-59 Airacomet. -
Coolidge develops the first enclosed
Coolidge develops the first enclosed X-ray source, the inspiration for many X-ray devices that are used to determine the physical makeup of materials. -
Coolidge develops the first enclosed X-ray source
Coolidge develops the first enclosed X-ray source, the inspiration for many X-ray devices that are used to determine the physical makeup of materials. -
GE develops the innovative magneto compass.
GE develops the innovative magneto compass. It’s a lighter, more accurate upgrade of the earth-indicator compass used on many planes. This indicator guides Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh to a US coast-to-coast speed record in a Lockheed Sirius. -
Manufacturing
GE develops moldable plastic, a foundational technology in the advance of modern mass production. -
GE researcher Katharine Blodgett invents
GE researcher Katharine Blodgett invents non-reflective glass. Blodgett, a pioneer of monomolecular coatings who worked at the GE Research Lab, made glass non-reflective by adding a molecule-thick layer of barium—the prototype for coatings used today on virtually all camera lenses and eyeglasses. -
Gas Turbine
The world’s first gas turbine for electricity production is created. Located in Neuchatel, Switzerland, and designed by Brown Boveri, a precursor company to Alstom, whose energy assets were eventually acquired by GE. The turbine remained operation until 2002 as a backup power unit, then was moved to Alstom’s factory in Birr, where it was restored with support of apprentices and can be visited today. -
Researchers from GE and RCA
Researchers from GE and RCA demonstrate the first commercial TEM (transmission electron microscope). The technology becomes a vital tool of analysis in the chemical and biological sciences. It works by bombarding an ultrathin (100 nm) specimen with a beam of electrons and then examining the image created by the interaction. -
Researchers from GE and RCA demonstrate
Researchers from GE and RCA demonstrate the first commercial TEM (transmission electron microscope). The technology becomes a vital tool of analysis in the chemical and biological sciences. It works by bombarding an ultrathin (100 nm) specimen with a beam of electrons and then examining the image created by the interaction. -
Synchrotron radiation
Synchrotron radiation is first demonstrated at General Electric Research Laboratory. This radiation, emitted when charged particles are accelerated, proves to be a vitally important component of devices that probe the internal structure and properties of materials. -
GE ships the United States’ first gas turbine for electricity production to Oklahoma
GE ships the United States’ first gas turbine for electricity production to Oklahoma Gas & Electric. The gas turbine at Bell Isle Station was in operation for 31 years and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers declared it a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark in 1984. -
GE introduces the J47, which becomes the world’s most-produced
GE introduces the J47, which becomes the world’s most-produced jet engine. By the end of the year, production reaches 200 engines a month. -
GE provides Union Pacific with 8,500 horsepower gas-turbine
GE provides Union Pacific with 8,500 horsepower gas-turbine electric locomotives. To this day, they are the most powerful locomotives in history. -
GE researchers achieve two laser breakthroughs that will have profound effects on manufacturing.
GE researchers achieve two laser breakthroughs that will have profound effects on manufacturing. In this banner year, Robert N. Hall demonstrates the first laser diode device, and Nick Holonyak, Jr. demonstrates the first semiconductor laser with a visible emission. Lasers would later have an important role in the additive manufacturing process. -
GE unveils the TF39 turbofan.
GE unveils the TF39 turbofan. The company receives a $465 million contract from the US Air Force to power the C-5A Galaxy. This engine sets the stage for many of GE’s commercial airline applications. -
Neil Armstrong
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the moon wearing boots made from silicon rubber developed by GE. GE’s Lexan plastic is also in the fish bowl visors on the astronaut’s helmets. -
GE delivers its first T700 to power Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters.
GE delivers its first T700 to power Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters. This turboshaft engine soon becomes the world’s most popular helicopter engine family for civil and military aircraft. -
The world’s first F-class turbine begins operation and is still running to this day.
The world’s first F-class turbine begins operation and is still running to this day. The F-class engine, which GE had debuted two years prior, ushers in an increase in efficiency thanks to higher internal temperatures enabled by material, combustion, and cooling advances. -
GE launches the first optical multiplexer
GE launches the first optical multiplexer for high speed utility communications of voice, video, and data. -
GE introduces the first jet engine
GE introduces the first jet engine to include components made of lightweight carbon fiber composites. The GE90 turbofan substantially reduces engine weight and enables higher standards for fuel burn and emissions. -
GE Measurement and Control is established
GE Measurement and Control is established. The subsidiary creates many types of sensors, instruments, and control systems for aerospace, the oil and gas industry, and power generation. -
GE’s H System gas turbine test operations start. It was the world’s
GE’s H System gas turbine test operations start. It was the world’s most advanced combined cycle system and the first capable of breaking the 60% efficiency barrier. -
GE introduces the innovative HardFiber process bus solution
GE introduces the innovative HardFiber process bus solution. It helps digitize electrical substations and reduce the need for hundreds of miles of copper cable. -
GE acquires 3D-printing pioneer Morris Technologies
GE acquires 3D-printing pioneer Morris Technologies, whose sophisticated techniques allow the creation of lightweight, streamlined versions of complex items like fuel nozzles for jet engines. -
GE introduce s the flagship HA gas turbine
GE introduce s the flagship HA gas turbine, the fastest fleet of heavy-duty gas turbines in the world. There were 82 orders from more than 25 customers across 15 countries. -
Guinness World Records
GE’s HA turbine is recognized by Guinness World Records with an efficiency of up to 62.22% -
The LEAP jet engine is the first widely deployed produc
The LEAP jet engine is the first widely deployed product to feature ceramic matrix composites. CMCs are just as tough as metal and even more heat resistant, but only a third as heavy. The engine was created by CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aviation and Safran Aircraft Engines. -
GE’s Distributed Power facility in Jenbach, Austria
GE’s Distributed Power facility in Jenbach, Austria, is named Factory of the Year by the trade magazine Produktion. The hyper-efficient gas engine manufacturer is one of GE’s Brilliant Factories, which combine lean manufacturing principles with digital tools. The high level of digitization is a main factor in the factory receiving a Global Excellence in Operations award. -
The initial architecture of GE’s Affinity,
The initial architecture of GE’s Affinity, the first commercial supersonic engine in 55 years, is introduced. It’s designed to enable efficient supersonic flight over water (1,000+ mph) and efficient subsonic flight (700+ mph) over land. It incorporates the highest bypass ratio ever for a supersonic engine. -
GE Aviation's accelerator in Washington DC launches.
GE Aviation's accelerator in Washington DC launches. It allows for hands-on collaboration with federal and defense customers, using data and analytics with idea generation, incubation, and development to yield unique insights and solutions. -
GE Aviation announces its Aviation Asset Performance Management (APM)
GE Aviation announces its Aviation Asset Performance Management (APM) solution. Aviation APM helps aircraft operators increase maintenance efficiency and significantly reduce operational disruptions. More than 300 unique airlines, OEMs, and business jet operators covering more than 10,000 aircraft use GE Aviation’s digital solutions for services such as flight and fuel analytics, navigation services, operations management, and planning and recovery.