On October 26, 1958, Pan American World Airways inaugurated the first commercial flight of the Boeing 707.
The prototype had been unveiled four years earlier in the spring of 1954, and Pan Am placed an order for twenty planes in the fall of 1955. After its first commercial flight, the 707 quickly gained popularity. Its success prompted technological developments in airports, air traffic control, and other aspects of air transport infrastructure throughout the 1960s, and the jet remained in production until 1979.
The history of transportation is one of the major collection strengths of Opening History. King County Snapshots has many more images from the Boeing Company. Complementary collections relating to the history of aviation include: the Wright Brothers Negatives, Arizona Aviation History: The Ruth Reinhold Collection, and the Springfield Aviation Company Collection.