What did they call the "jet stream" before we had jets?
Asked by
Kayak8 (
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May 25th, 2009
There may not have been a name, but I have always wondered about this . . .
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6 Answers
A “jet” is something that maintains a high-speed, continuous flow.
A jet stream is a fast moving wind current in constant flow.
A jet plane is an aircraft that is propelled by an engine that maintains a constant flow of ignited gas.
The word has been around many years, before both items were named :P
German meteorologist H. Seilkopf is credited with coining the term “jet stream” (Strahlströmung) in a 1939 paper. (Wikipedia)…what a pity. There goes a long held misconception. I always thought that the jet streams were discovered when jet aircraft came into general use – hence the name. It was a Japanese meteorologist who made the discovery in 1920.
Interesting
“The term “motor jet” was established in a patent filed in Britain by J.H. Harris of Esher, U.K., in 1917.”
The jet stream has nothing to do with jet airplanes.
@Cardinal, – isn’t that a pity? all these years I had the thought that jet streams were altogether unknown until somebody went up there. What a romantic, mysterious idea.
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