The first paying passengers of the Boeing Airplane Company were charged $15 for a 15-20 minute sightseeing tour over the city of Seattle, taking off in one of the Boeing factory's seaplanes from their Lake Union hangar.
This image of the first customers was taken on the dock at Lake Union, with the seaplane behind. Third from the left is pilot Edward Willits "Eddie" Hubbard (1889-1928), who was the first graduate of the Aviation School of the Northwest in November, 1915. His occupation in the 1920 U. S. Census is listed as "Aeroplane Conductor."
Written on recto: Ralph Lomen, Alfred J. Lomen, Eddie Hubbard (pilot), Mrs. Jas. Gibbs, Jas. Gibbs, News Man. First passengers ever carried by Boeing for money, May 1919 Typed on verso: First com'l airplane in Seattle, Boeing. Passengers on flight, iden. May, 1919. Aircraft identified as a model C by Dr. Paul Spitzer, Boeing corporate historian
Caption information source: The Seattle Daily Times, May 2, 1919, page 12
ID Number: SHS11352A
Date: 1919
Physical Description: 1 photographic print mounted on cardboard: b&w ; 4.75 x 6.75 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant.
