Boeing history chronology

PRE-1910 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010–
1966 March 16: First docking of two orbiting spacecraft as the McDonnell Gemini 8, with astronauts Neil Armstrong
and David Scott, rendezvous and docks with an Agena target satellite.
April 13:
April 21:
May 30:
June 3:
July 15:
Aug. 10:
Oct. 31:
Nov. 15:
Dec. 31:
Boeing announces it will build a 490-passenger 747 transport. Construction will begin in June on a new
plant to build the huge jets in Everett, Wash.
Hughes Helicopters announces it will build the Model 500 helicopter in three models: the basic Model
500, the executive aircraft and the utility Model 500U (later the 500C). Shipping of these aircraft will start
in 1968. The same year the OH-6A establishes 23 world records for speed, distance and altitude.
The first Hughes Space & Communications Surveyor spacecraft is launched. It will land on the lunar
surface two days later.
The McDonnell Gemini 9 is launched, using five North American Rocketdyne engines.
The Boeing Company celebrates its 50th anniversary with a demonstration flight of a replica of the
B & W biplane.
The first Boeing-built Lunar Orbiter is launched, and the first pictures of the moon are sent back to Earth.
Boeing wins the contract to design, develop and test the short-range attack missile (SRAM).
McDonnell’s Project Gemini comes to an end with the splashdown of the Gemini 12 spacecraft, carrying
astronauts Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin. It is the most successful manned space venture thus far. With the
McDonnell Co. as prime contractor, 10 straight two-man flights are completed in less than 18 months.
Boeing wins the competition to design the supersonic transport (SST).
Boeing history chronology
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