ChronoFive
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Setting the scene
Britain's de Havilland Comet had proven jets could fly passengers, but metal fatigue tragedies grounded the fleet; BOAC still pushed jet travel as the future of luxury aviation.
What happened
BOAC began Comet jet service in May 1952 on the London-Johannesburg route, offering pressurized cabins and speeds that cut hours off long-haul trips.
Why it still matters
The Comet's early disasters taught aviation hard lessons about fatigue testing that made later jets like the 707 far safer. Memorable detail: passengers on early Comet flights enjoyed square windows—later blamed for stress cracks before designs switched to round ones.
Background
Metal fatigue lessons later improved aviation safety.