In this in-depth study of the 737, the renowned aviation historian and
author Graham M. Simons explores the whole story of the type's design
and introduction.
The Boeing 737 is an American short- to medium-range twinjet narrow-body
airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, a
division of the Boeing Company. Originally designed as a shorter,
lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from the 707 and 727, the 737
has grown into a family of passenger models with capacities from 85 to
215 passengers, the most recent version of which, the 737 MAX, has
become embroiled in a worldwide controversy.
Initially envisioned in 1964, the first 737-100 made its first flight in
April 1967 and entered airline service in February 1968 with Lufthansa.
The 737 series went on to become one of the highest-selling commercial
jetliners in history and has been in production in its core form since
1967; the 10,000th example was rolled out on 13 March 2018.
There is, however, a very different side to the convoluted story of the
737's development, one that demonstrates a transition of power from a
primarily engineering structure to one of accountancy, number-driven
powerbase that saw corners cut, and the previous extremely high safety
methodology compromised. The result was the 737 MAX. Having entered
service in 2017, this model was grounded worldwide in March 2019
following two devastating crashes.
In this revealing insight into the Boeing 737, the renowned aviation
historian Graham M. Simons examines its design, development and service
over the decades since 1967. He also explores the darker side of the
737's history, laying bare the politics, power-struggles, changes of
management ideology and battles with Airbus that culminated in the 737
MAX debacle that has threatened Boeing's very survival.
