Commercial Airliners
First Jetliner:
De Havilland Comet
Significance
The De Havilland Comet was the first commercial jetliner built (Museum of Flight). As jetliners, the Comets are faster, quieter, and fly higher to avoid turbulence than their propeller-powered counterparts (BAE Systems).
Cause
The Brabazon Committee of the UK was tasked with determining the country's aviation future in the post WWII period (Simple Flying). The group believed that the UK needed a pressurized transatlantic mailplane (Pushkar), which led to the eventual development of the Comet.
The Comet was a much-needed plane to lessen the air travel time and increase the connectedness of the world.
Consequence
Short-Term
The Comet successfully shortened flight time to key international destinations. For example, what once took 86 hours from London to Tokoyo now takes 36 hours with the Comet (Szondy).
The success of the Comet led to the development of rival planes. Boeing soon introduced their jetliner, the Boeing 707; Douglas did the same with the DC-8. These American manufacturers benefited from the PR damage Comet's deadly crashes, and the knowledge that the crash investigations provided. The Comet was never able to recover after its crashes as it had been rendered obsolete by other newer aircraft (Museum of Flight).
Long-Term
The Comet was a source of national pride for Britain, as the Boeing company of the US had largely overshadowed all other plane companies during the 20s and 30s. The development of the Comet put the UK in the international aviation spotlight.
The Comet was involved in 3 deadly crashes due to structural problems (Simple Flying). Its deadly design flaws caused long-term pain for the families of those affected but also helped the aviation industry to update its structural protocols.
The De Havilland Comet was the aircraft that kicked off the jet age, which lessened the travel time and lowered the costs of air travel (Simple Flying).
Who
Sir Geoffrey de Havilland; The De Havilland Company of England
What
Development of the first commercial jetliner
When
July 27, 1949
Where
Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England
Main topic
Affordability Gamechanger: Boeing 747
Significance
The 747, nicknamed the "Queen of the Skies," was the world's largest plane until the arrival of the A380 in 2007. As the world’s first twin-aisle airplane, it had a massive capacity of up to 524 passengers (varies depending on the varient), which significantly lowered the cost of plane tickets and enabled more people to fly. revolutionized air travel (McGreal).
Cause
Consequence
Short-Term
The 747 dominated the global airline market for 50 years after its introduction as the standard widebody aircraft (Flottau). However, it was slowly phased out after twin-engine widebodies with more fuel efficiency were introduced.
Long-Term
The Boeing 747 changed the economics of widebody operations due to its colossal passenger capacity. The lower costs for intercontinental flying enabled a larger portion of the middle class to fly, contributing significantly to 20th century globalization (Flottau).
The 747 was the first plane to have almost vertical sidewalls and a high ceiling, transforming the crampt image of commercial flying. Its revolutionary design of separating the cabin with galleys and washrooms are still used today (Waldek).
The introduction of the 747 quickly overwhelmed airports around the globe, as they were not used to handling hundreds of passengers per plane. Airports had to quickly expand lounges, check-in counters, and terminals.
Who
The Boeing Company
Developed by a Boeing Team nicknamed "The Incredibles" (due to the fast 29-month concept to rollout speed) and led by Chief Engineer Joe Sutter.
What
A jumbo jet that's 2.5 times larger than the typical jetliner at the time, such as the Boeing 707 (Waldek).
A total of 1,574 747s were built. The final 747 was built in 2022 after 53 years of production (McGreal).
The 747 had a distinct hump on its top and was an icon of 20th century engineering (The Boeing Company).
When
February 9, 1969
Where
Seattle, Washington
First Airplane:
Wright Flyer
Significance
The Wright Flyer was the first successfully flown airplane (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum), and it was a monumental step in human aviation history.
Cause
Humans have always been fascinated by the notion of flying. The earliest blueprint of a flying device was found in
The brothers were reportedly fascinated by helicopter-like toys in their childhood, and dreamt of building a flying machine big enough to carry them both (National Geographic).
Alberto Santos-Dumont of Brazil and Gustave Whitehead of Connecticut claimed to have flown an airplane before the Wrights, but their claims lacked legitimate documentation (Klein).
Consequence
Short-Term
The Wright Flyer spurred the development of airplanes. This industry will soon branch off into areas like defense, cargo, and commercial passenger services.
Just a few short years later, in 1914, the world would see the first scheduled passenger air service in Tampa, known as the Benoist XIV (National Geographic).
Long-Term
The development over the next century and beyond would see humankind break sound barriers, fly above the stratosphere, and even travel around the world with the help of planes.
Who
Wilbur and Orville Wright, also known as the Wright Brothers, spent four years researching and developing the "Wright Flyer" (Klein).
What
The biplane was powered with one 12-horsepower "Wright horizontal four-cylinder engine" and did not have landing gears. It had a wooden structure, with its wings made out of fabric (Klein).
When
December 17, 1903
Where
Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
First Passenger Aircraft: Benoist XIV
Significance
The Benoist XIV flew under the banner of the St. Petersburg Airboat Lines. It was the first-ever regularly scheduled commercial airline service in the world.
Cause
The Benoist was developed in hopes of carrying a single passenger. It was used as a passenger plane by the St. Petersburg Airboat Lines, founded by local businessman Percival E. Fansler (Swopes).
The City of St. Petersburg provided a substantial $2,400 subsidy ($40 per day), under the condition that the airline operate two scheduled flights per day, six days per week, for three months (Swopes).
Consequence
Short-Term
As the flight shorted the 2-hour boat ride (or a 20-hour car ride) across Tampa Bay to just under 23 minutes, this air service provided a convenient way for select individuals to get across the bay (Flitetest).
Long-Term
Although the Benoist XIV only carried passengers for 4 months, and ceased operations when the government subsidies stopped coming, it was a pioneering milestone for the commercial air transport industry.
This first passenger air service will eventually lead to the development of one of the most important transportation industries in our world.
Who
Founder of the Airline: Local businessman Percival E. Fansler
Pilot: Tony Jannus, an experienced test pilot
What
The Benoist XIV was designed by Thomas W. Benoist. It was 26 feet long and had a wingspan of 44 feet. Powered by a water-cooled Roberts Motor Company 1913 Model 6-X two-cycle inline six-cylinder engine, it had a maximum speed of 64 miles per hour and a range of 125 miles (Swopes).
The Benoist XIV flew under the banner of the St. Petersburg Airboat Lines. It was the first-ever regularly scheduled commercial airline service in the world.
The Benoist XIV had an "impressive" capacity of one passenger, plus its pilot (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum), but was nevertheless ahead of its time.
When
January 1st, 1914 - April 1914
Where
St. Petersburg, Florida and Tampa, Florida
First Modern Airliner:
Boeing 247
Significance
The Boeing 247 was the first modern airliner. Its speed, safety record, and economic performance made the 247 the best plane on the market at the time (Museum of Flight).
Cause
After World War I, airline operators shifted their focus to multi-engine aircraft options due to safety and economical concerns and to fly over water (Simple Flying).
The government incentifised commercial airline development if their aircrafts could fly at night, had multiple engines, two-way radios, and other safety equipment (National Air and Space Museum).
Airlines also needed bigger, better, and faster airplanes that can serve both passengers and mail. Enhancements to safety equipment on planes were also desperately needed (National Air and Space Museum).
Consequence
Short-Term
Led to the expansion of the airline industry with United Airlines and Lufthansa taking dozens of orders (Simple Flying).
The 247 led the way for other aviation companies to produce modern, high-performancing airliners in the 1930s.
The DC-3 was a direct consequence of the development of the Boeing 247. The Douglas Company, the developer of DC-3, was asked by TWA (Trans World Airlines) to develop the plane for them to compete with other airlines that owned Boeing 247s (National Air and Space Museum).
Long-Term
Paved the way for a new commercial industry of air transport.
Made flying more acceptable for the general public with new safety features.
Eventually, it led to the revolutionary introduction of jet engine-powered planes, first seen on the de Havilland Comet in 1949.
Who
The Boeing 247 was developed by the Boeing Company of Seattle, Washington.
What
The Boeing 247 was a modern commercial airliner that could carry 10 passengers. It flew 50% faster than the Ford Tri-Motor, the primary passenger aircraft at the time, and could fly across the US in less than 20 hours.
When
February 8, 1933
Where
Seattle, Washington