Throughout all the history of aviation, and mankind there have been few corporations that have connected the ideals, the people and their cultures together across the world as have the Boeing Company's airliners. Boeing has set the pace for commercial aviation, and has been at its forefront for an excess of 60 years.
Boeing was formed by William Boeing, a Detroit born, Yale educated engineer. On July 15th , 1916, he and his business partner George Conrad Westervelt, a U.S Navy engineer formed the "Pacific Aero Products Co" and based it in Seattle, Washington.
Their first product was the Boeing Model 1 seaplane, of which only 2 were built. In 1917, the company was renamed the "Boeing Airplane Company". In this intra war period, with many aircraft in surplus from World War 1, the company struggled. To keep it in business it turned to desperate measures and even began manufacturing furniture.
It's first significant airliner development came in 1933, in the form of the Boeing 247. It was revolutionary in the fact that it had an all metal construction, made from anodized aluminum. It also introduced retractable landing gear, a primitive autopilot and even de-icing boots to prevent the accumulation of ice on the flight control surfaces. 75 of these airliners were built, and the primary operator was United Airlines, that had been started as a company by Boeing itself.
After negotiations with Pan American Airways in 1938, the Boeing 314 took shape. This was a 4 engine flying boat which was used for Trans-Pacific operations by Pan Am. The Clipper had the redundancy of 4 engines and the ability to land on water in the event of an emergency. The Boeing 314 was the largest aircraft of its time.
During World War 2, Boeing was involved in the construction of many bombers, notably the B-17 and B-29. These aircraft, especially the B-17 were known for there ruggedness which is still a trait associated with the Boeing Company. Many B-17's would make it back home with entire rudders shot off or half a wing blown clean. Boeing used innovations in these aircraft, such as pressurized cabins in the B-29 for later developments in airlines.
In the early 1950's, Boeing used its own funds, to develop a revolution in airliner technology: the Boeing 367-80, more commonly known as the Dash 80. It's main revolution was that instead of the piston power plants that were the standard for commercial aircraft, it featured pod mounted jet engines. At this time, the major competitor for Boeing was the DeHaviland company, with its Comet. But due to the rush to get the Comet airborne before the Dash 80, it had major structural defects, which sealed its fate and ultimately that if its company. On it's first test flight, pilot "Tex" Johnson put the Dash 80 through a barrel roll, wowing audiences and spectators. The 707 was developed from the Dash 80. The 707 proved itself to be an amazing airliner capable of trans Atlantic flights, soaring high above any weather. It enjoyed more than 1,000+ deliveries, and still continues to see service with the USAF as the K-135. But it had one major disadvantage. It needed very long runways to be able to takeoff and land. The only airports that were this big were those of the major cities. This meant that smaller cities lacked air service.
To tackle this, a new aircraft was conceived, and the year was 1960. The Boeing 727, could operate from small airports, connecting small cities, to larger airports, where then, passengers could connect as they pleased. The three engine, T-tail Boeing 727 was a huge success with over 1,800 orders. Some of them remain in service to this very day.
In 1967, Boeing announced another short to medium range aircraft. The Boeing 737. The 737 is now the most successful airliner in the history of aviation, and Boeing has been manufacturing them non-stop since 1967. Boeing has built more 737's than Airbus has built there entire product range. Recently, the 73w as redesigned as the 737NG, with more powerful engines, updated avionics and greater seating capacity. Boeing currently has more than 8,000 orders for the 737 accumulated on it's order books.
Boeing still had bigger ambitions. They began construction of what is the largest building in the world today, the Boeing Everett Factory. This huge structure would be where the largest aircraft in the world at that time would be constructed, the Boeing 747. The 747 is rightly the Queen of the skies. It was intended for long haul, large capacity routes. A brand new version of the 747, the 747-8 is currently being designed by Boeing. The 747 made its first flight in 1969, and people instantly fell in love with it.
Boeing began developing the Boeing 2707, conceived as a super sonic transport to compete with the Concorde. But, Congress stopped funding for the project and it was scrapped. In the early 1970's a recession hit the airline industry and orders hit rock bottom for a few years. But Boeing was still confident in its 747.
In the early 1980's Boeing had another problem. In Europe, a consortium of aeronautic firms came together and set up Airbus, to compete with Boeing, after they realized that the United States controlled almost all of the aeronautical sector. To remain competitive, Boeing introduced 2 new aircraft, the 757 and 767. Since they were a related development, they shared many of the systems and features. It was possible for a pilot to be rated on both the aircraft and fly both on the same day.
In 1994, Boeing began developing the 777, one of the most advanced commercial jets currently in production. The 777 was designed entirely using computer software and it was also Boeing's first Fly By Wire aircraft.
By September 2001, Boeing decided to move its Headquarters to Chicago, Illinois. It's main production plants would remain unchanged however.
In 2004, Boeing announced development on a new jet, the 787. The 787 is another revolution in the aviation world. Its fuselage is made entirely of composite materials. It features bleed less engines and has highly advanced systems. It has amassed about 900 orders, before one has even rolled off the production line yet, an impressive feat.
The 787, and 747-8, will guarantee Boeing's status as leader in the aviation industry well into the 21st Century.