Who was the first to break the speed of sound?

Chuck Yeager was the first person to break the speed of sound, achieving this milestone on October 14, 1947. He did so while flying the Bell X-1, a rocket-powered aircraft specifically designed for this purpose. Yeager's success in reaching a speed of Mach 1.06, or approximately 700 miles per hour at sea level, marked a significant achievement in aviation history and opened the door to supersonic flight.

His accomplishment was notable not just for the technical achievement itself, but also for the implications it had for aerodynamics and the design of future aircraft. Breaking the sound barrier was fraught with risks and challenges, such as shock waves and loss of control, making Yeager’s flight an extraordinary feat of skill and bravery.

In contrast, the individuals listed in the other options, such as Wiley Post, Neil Armstrong, and Jim Lovell, made significant contributions to aviation and space exploration but did not achieve the distinction of breaking the sound barrier.