On this day in aviation history, 104 years ago—July 22, 1921—the Douglas Aircraft Company was officially established. Initially founded as the Davis-Douglas Company by Donald W. Douglas and Davis R. Davis, the company soon became known simply as Douglas Aircraft, beginning operations in Santa Monica, California.
Douglas Aircraft would go on to become one of the most influential aircraft manufacturers in the world, building a reputation for innovative design and engineering excellence. Long before World War II, the company had already made a significant mark with the creation of the legendary DC-3 airliner—an aircraft that revolutionized commercial aviation. During the war, this same design was adapted for military service as the C-47 Skytrain, becoming a vital workhorse for Allied forces.
The company played a crucial role in the Allied victory in World War II, producing a number of iconic aircraft including the SBD Dauntless dive-bomber, the A-20 Havoc, and the A-26 Invader. Douglas was also part of the BVD (Boeing-Vega-Douglas) consortium, which mass-produced B-17 Flying Fortresses during the war effort.
Innovation remained at the heart of Douglas’ identity, as seen in unique aircraft such as the B-23 Dragon and the TBD Devastator, the U.S. Navy’s first all-metal monoplane torpedo bomber. After the war, Douglas introduced the A-1 Skyraider, a rugged attack aircraft that provided essential close-air support in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Douglas was also a pioneer in commercial jet aviation. The DC-8 and DC-9 opened up new horizons for global air travel, helping airlines usher in the jet age with reliable and efficient aircraft.
In 1967, Douglas Aircraft merged with McDonnell Aircraft to form McDonnell Douglas, a company that continued the Douglas legacy with a strong portfolio of military and commercial aircraft. Three decades later, on August 1, 1997, Boeing acquired McDonnell Douglas, a move aimed at strengthening Boeing’s position in the commercial sector while also gaining access to McDonnell Douglas’ extensive military programs and expertise. Today, Boeing remains a dominant force in aerospace—built in part on the foundation of the innovation, craftsmanship, and legacy of Douglas Aircraft.
