Is your head in the clouds? Do you find yourself fascinated as airplanes shoots across the sky? Then come to WCHS and learn some history on one the biggest names in aviation. The talk will focus on the early years of The Boeing Airplane Company of Seattle, Washington, from its beginning in 1916 to the United States entering World War II. Using selected aircraft from this 25-year period to illustrate Boeing’s processes of emulation, innovation, and invention with the design-build, engineering, and manufacturing of commercial and military aircraft. The talk will address the questions how Boeing the man and his company survived the uncertainties of the 1920s and then the Depression years 1930s.The results of which turned Boeing Seattle into a world-wide technical aviation center for aircraft design, engineering and production of aircraft for both the B-17 and B-29 World War II Strategic Bombers.
This is a free presentation to all ages. No registration necessary. Coffee, water, and light snacks will be provided. Please contact us with any questions, or concerns.
Mike Lavelle is an aviation historian and author with 60 years of aviation experience, that has included 12 years at the Cessna Aircraft Company and 24 years with the Boeing Company. At both companies Mike held instructor and management positions for aircraft flight crew and aircraft maintenance training for both companies commercial and military aircraft divisions.
After retiring from Boeing in 2005, he was the Director of Development and Public Programs at the Museum of Flight in Seattle until 2012.
