On June 8, 1917, a historic photograph captured Boeing Plant No. 1 operating along the Duwamish River near Seattle, Washington. Just two months prior, the United States’ entry into World War I prompted the U.S. Navy to award the young company a critical wartime contract to construct 51 Model C two-seat training seaplanes.
This specific June photo captures the exact shipyard birthplace of what was originally a lumber business. William Boeing initially utilized his extensive Pacific Northwest timber lands and experienced local shipyard carpenters because early aircraft wings were made entirely of lightweight spruce wood. This wartime navy order permanently transformed his regional woodworking shop into an industrial aviation empire.
