- Great American Business Leaders of the Twentieth Century
William M. Allen
Boeing Company
1945 - 1969
Automotive & Aerospace
b. 1900
| Education |  |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Montana State University |
| Graduate | JD, Harvard University |
| Personal | |
|---|---|
| Born-Died | 1900 - 1985 |
| Birthplace | Montana (MT) |
| Race | White |
| Father | Professional |
In 1945, when Allen was appointed CEO, Boeing faced cancellation of $1.5 billion in wartime contracts. Under Allen’s leadership, Boeing kept course and later prospered. In 1952, Boeing’s B-52 was chosen by the Air Force as its intercontinental bomber, and in 1959, the Boeing 707 Jetliner inaugurated the jet age in commercial aviation.