Why Whittle's jet proposal struggled for early funding

Why did Whittle's early jet concept fail to attract immediate government funding?

Officials saw many unproven inventions and lacked hindsight; Whittle also approached government before private backing had demonstrated the concept's promise.

Whittle's eventual success was not obvious to officials in advance. Governments received many proposals at a similarly immature stage, most of which would never become practical systems. Funding often progresses from private believers to government development, with commercial investment following once a technology can earn money. Whittle went directly to government because of his RAF position, leaving the proposal without the private proof and backing that often unlock the next stage.