Boeing << BOH ihng >>, William Edward (1881-1956), was an American industrialist. In 1916, he helped found the Pacific Aero Products Company (now called the Boeing Company). The firm is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of airplanes and of airplane and spacecraft equipment. William Boeing also helped carry the first international airmail in one of his planes in 1919, and set up Boeing Air Transport in 1927. United Airlines developed from mergers between this and other pioneer airlines.
Boeing was born on Oct. 1, 1881, in Detroit. He attended the Sheffield Scientific School at Yale University but left before obtaining a degree. In 1903, he moved to Seattle, where he organized a successful lumber business. After the Pacific Aero Products Company was formed, Boeing served as its president and later as chairman of its board of directors. He died on Sept. 28, 1956.
See also Boeing Company.
