Origins & Early Life

William Edward Böing (anglicized as Boeing) (; October 1, 1881 – September 28, 1956) was an American aviation pioneer. He founded the Pacific Airplane Company in 1916, which was renamed to Boeing a year later. The company is now the largest exporter in the United States by dollar value and among the largest aerospace manufacturers in the world. Boeing's first design was the Boeing Model 1 (or B & W Seaplane), which first flew in June 1916, a month before the company was founded.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He also helped create the United Aircraft and Transport Corporation in 1929 and served as its chairman until its forced breakup in 1934. He received the Daniel Guggenheim Medal in 1934 and was posthumously inducted in to the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1966, ten years after his death. William Boeing was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Marie M. Ortmann, from Vienna, Austria, and Wilhelm Böing (1846–1890), a wealthy mining engineer, from Hohenlimburg, Germany. Wilhelm Böing had emigrated to the United States in 1868 and initially worked as a laborer.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His move to the United States was disliked by his father and he received no financial support. He later made a fortune from North Woods timber...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alexander Fleming — Contemporary (Born in 1881) (1881): Pioneering microbiologist known for the discovery of penicillin, revolutionizing medicine.
• Alexander II of Russia — Contemporary (Died in 1881) (1881): Emperor of Russia, known as 'The Liberator' for abolishing serfdom.
• Béla Bartók — Contemporary (Born in 1881) (1881): Pioneering Hungarian composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist of the 20th century.
• A. A. Milne — Contemporary (Died in 1956) (1956): Celebrated English author, famed for Winnie-the-Pooh and children's literature.
• Alan Davis — Contemporary (Born in 1956) (1956): English comic book writer and artist known for Captain Britain and X-Men work.
• Alan Eustace — Contemporary (Born in 1956) (1956): Pioneering computer scientist known for his work at Google and record-breaking space dive.
• Abby Stein — Shared historical date (10-01 · Born) (1991): Israeli-American author, rabbi, and activist who speaks on faith and gender identity.
• Antonio Inoki — Shared historical date (10-01 · Died) (2022): Pioneering Japanese wrestler, martial artist, and political figure.
• Ben E. King — Shared historical date (09-28 · Born) (1938): Iconic American soul and R&B singer, celebrated for group hits and solo anthems.
• Bhagat Singh — Shared historical date (09-28 · Born) (1907): Iconic Indian revolutionary whose martyrdom inspired anti-colonial fervor.
• 1881 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1881
• October 1 (10-01) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 1
• 1956 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1956
• September 28 (09-28) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on September 28