William E. Boeing

William E, Boeing (1 October, 1881-1956), born in Detroit, Michigan. The son of a wealthy timber merchant, he founded what was later to become the Boeing Company.

While president of Greenwood Logging Company, in 1908, Boeing travelled to Seattle and became interested in aeronautics. On the University of Washington campus during the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in 1909, Boeing watched a manned flying machine for the first time and became fascinated with aircraft.

In 1916, Boeing founded Pacific Aero Products. When America entered the First World War in April 1917, Boeing changed the name of Pacific Aero Products to Boeing Airplane Company and obtained orders from the the United States Navy for 50 planes. At the end of the war, Boeing began to concentrate on commercial aircraft, secured contracts to supply airmail and built a successful airmail operation.

In 1934, the U. S. government accused him of monopolistic practices. He was ordered to break up his company into three separate entities: United Aircraft Co, Boeing Airplane Company, and United Air Lines.

Boeing retired from the aircraft industry in 1934. He spent the remainder of his years in property development and thoroughbred horse breeding.

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