75 years of Innovators: William Allen

In the 75 years since Machine Design began publication, here are some of the people who have changed the way we live.

William Allen
Aviation leader
1900-1985

Allen helped convert Boeing into a commercial airline company, prodding it to produce the 707, 727, 737, and finally, the 747, a series of jets that revolutionized the airline industry. Boeing kept its hand in military production as well, building the B-47, B-52, and KC-135 aircraft, the CH-47 and CH-46 helicopters, and the Bomarc and Minuteman missiles, under his leadership. Boeing also expanded into spacecraft while he was the CEO, developing the first state-of-the-art Apollo-Saturn V rocket and the Lunar Orbiter spaceship.