Viewing page 17 of 22

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[Top margin]] FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE [[/Top margin]]

WILLIAM E. BOEING
Pioneer Founder of the Boeing Aircraft Company

William E. Boeing was born in Detroit, Michigan, October 1, 1881 of wealthy parents having timber and mining holdings in Minnesota. He attended public and private schools and two years at Sheffield Scientific School at Yale University.

In 1903, at age 22, Boeing went west where he acquired timber holdings of his own at Gray's Harbor on the Washington coast.

In 1908 he moved to Seattle, where he began to develop an interest in things mechanical. The early reports of flying interested him and he attended the first Los Angeles Aviation Meet at Domingues Field, held January 10th to 20th, 1910, to see for himself IF man could fly. He tried, but failed, to get a ride and returned to Seattle greatly impressed by when he had seen.

Some time later Boeing met Navy Lieutenant Conrad Westervelt, also an aviation enthusiast, who was on official assignment in that area. Their friendship and aviation interest grew, then early in 1915 Montana aviator T. T. Maroney started flying a Curtiss hydro from the water off Seattle's nearby Lake Washington to carry passengers and conduct a flying school. Boeing and Westervelt had a ride with Maroney and both were delighted and greatly enthused with the

1