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.

The Grumman F6F Hellcat was a carrier-based fighter aircraft developed to
replace the earlier F4F Wildcat in the U.S. Navy. The Hellcat first saw action
against the Japanese on September 1, 1943.

The United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) was a forerunner of todays
U.S. Air Force. Renamed from the  Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part
of the U.S. Army. The Air Corps was renamed the United States Army Air
Forces by Congress on June 20,1941 and was active till September
17, 1947.

U.S. Army Air Forces Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
("Hap Arnold Emblem")

The United States Air Force Symbol today

Midway Atoll

The Battle of Midway is widely regarded as the most important naval battle of the
Pacific Campaign of World War II. Between 4 and 7 June 1942, approximately one
month after the Battle of the Coral Sea and six months after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy defeated an Imperial Japanese Navy attack against Midway
Atoll (above). Heavy damage was inflicted on the Japanese fleet. It has been
called the most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare.

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On the evening of May 21, 1927, 33 hours, 30 minutes later, Charles
Lindbergh had crossed the coast of France, followed the Seine River
to Paris and touched down at Le Bourget Field where a waiting crowd
of 100,000 rushed the plane. He had achieved the first solo non-stop transatlantic flight, New York to Paris.

Charles Lindbergh beside the Spirit of St. Louis after landing in Paris.