Hans Ohain was born in Dessau, Germany on 14th December, 1911. After studying at the University of Gottingen he was employed by Ernst Heinkel, the German aircraft builder.

In 1939 Ohain developed the HE 178. With its centrifugal-flow turbojet engine, the plane made its first flight on 27th August, 1939. Ohain followed this success by building the HeS 8A which was first flown on 2nd April, 1941 and the Heinkel He 162 that appeared in 1945.

After the Second World War Ohain emigrated to the United States where he worked on jet aircraft for the US Air Force. Hans Ohain died in Florida on 13th March, 1998.