Original Boeing logo

In March 1910 William E. Boeing (above) bought Heath’s shipyard located on
the Duwamish River in Seattle, Washington. This location later became his first
airplane factory. It was incorporated by Boeing on July 15, 1916, as “Pacific Aero Products”. On May 9, 1917, the company became the “Boeing Airplane Company”.

William Boeing originally worked in the timber industry, where he acquired his wealth
and knowledge about wooden structures which would prove invaluable in the design
and assembly of his airplanes.

The company stayed in Seattle, taking advantage of the local supply of Spruce  
wood. Many of Boeing’s early planes were seaplanes built and assembled in the 
lakeside hanger located in Seattle’s South Lake Union Neighborhood. 

Replica of Boeing’s first plane, the Boeing Model 1, at the Museum of Flight at King County international Airport/Boeing Field in Tukwila, Washington, south of Seattle.