Origins of commercial jet age discussed with historians and key participants in story
SEATTLE, – A lecture and book signing on April 16 looks at the beginnings of the commercial jet age with historians and the people who helped make it happen. Headlining the group is New York Times and Seattle Times journalist Sam Howe Verhovek, who will talk about his book, “Jet Age: The Comet, the 707, and the Race to Shrink the World.” Verhovek will be joined by former Boeing 707 test pilot Brien Wygle, 707 training instructor Peter Morton and The Boeing Company’s historian, Mike Lombardi. The panel also includes former airline Capt. Peter Duffy, who flew both Comets and 707s for British airlines. The program will be at 2 p.m., and is free with admission to the Museum. The presentation is followed by questions from the audience and a book signing.
The Museum of Flight
The race to dominate early commercial jet transportation was one of the great contests in the aviation industry–while the British de Havilland Comet was the first commercial jet liner, it was Boeing and its 707 that won the race in the 1950s, forever changing the face of air travel.
The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field half-way between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $16 for adults, $14 for seniors 65 and older, $13 for active military, $9 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit