By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: The surprising story behind Boeing’s logo
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Signin Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2025 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Aviation > Manufacturing > The surprising story behind Boeing’s logo
AviationManufacturing

The surprising story behind Boeing’s logo

Josh McMinn
Last updated: 9 April 2025 13:18
By Josh McMinn
3 Min Read
Share
Boeing logo
SHARE

Most AvGeeks will be familiar with Boeing’s iconic logo: it’s a wonky triangle next to a picture of Saturn, right? But few will know the surprising story behind plane makers’ artfully abstract branding.

Summary
Around the world in 175 daysMissiles and mergersBoeing’s buyout

Around the world in 175 days

Before there was the space race, there was the race to circumnavigate the globe. In the 1920s, several countries were vying to be the first to circle the world by plane. There was an unsuccessful British attempt in 1922, followed by a French attempt the following year – also a failure. Italian, Portuguese, and Argentinian teams also announced their intentions to take up the challenge

Douglas World Cruiser | Wikimedia Commons
Douglas World Cruiser | @ Wikimedia Commons

In the Spring of 1923, the US Army Air Service became interested in joining the contest. They approached plane-maker Donald Douglas, who designed them the Douglas World Cruiser (DWC), a modified version of his DT torpedo bomber.

Four World Cruisers left Santa Monica, California on 17 March 1924, setting off on their mission around the globe. On 22 September after 175 days, three returned, met by a crowd of over 100,000 cheering onlookers. The achievement was memorialised in the Douglas Company’s Logo, which depicts three DWCs circling the globe.

Douglas company logo, Boeing precursor
The tagline reads “First Around The World”

Missiles and mergers

Douglas continued to manufacture airplanes in the coming decades, expanding into commercial airliners in the 1930s with the production of the DC-2, (the “DC” standing for “Douglas Commercial”). The company also manufactured missiles and was involved in designing the Saturn IB and Saturn V rockets. To reflect this arm of the business, a missile was added to the company logo.

Douglas Logo with Missile, Boeing precursor
Douglas Logo with Missile

In 1967 the firm was struggling with quality and cash flow problems and accepted a merger with military aerospace company McDonnell. The new McDonnell-Douglas company adopted the Douglas Logo of a plane, a missile, and a globe.

McDonnell-Douglas Logo, Boeing Precursor
Can you see it now?

Boeing’s buyout

In 1997 the McDonnell-Douglas Corporation could no longer compete with rivals Boeing and Airbus and was consequently bought out by the former. Whilst the name Boeing was the one that survived, the company inherited Douglas’ iconic logo, simplifying it to just three elements: A globe, an arc, and a wedge.

Boeing Logo
Boeing’s famous Logo

Whilst the Boeing logo is abstracted to the extent that you no longer know what you’re looking at, it still bears some of the marks of history. Hopefully, whenever you look at the logo from now on, you’ll be reminded of the story behind it!

You Might Also Like

Lufthansa Opens New Munich Airport Lounge
How Are Civil Aviation Pilots Trained in the United States?
London to Bodrum: A taste of Türkiye’s Turquoise Coast
Wizz Air Retreats Operations Ahead of Closing Vienna Base
Ryanair Condemns Belgium’s Aviation Tax Hike
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love1
Sad0
Happy0
Angry2
Josh McMinn
ByJosh McMinn
Follow:
Jr Reporter - Josh is an Jr. Aviation Reporter at Travel Radar covering the latest industry news, developments and passenger experiences. Outside of reporting, Josh is a talented artist and camera operator with experience spanning several industries.
Previous Article Farnborough Airshow in 2018 Farnborough Airshow 2022 : What to Expect?
Next Article Tan Son Nhat Runway 25L Vietnam ATC blames delay on “pilot skills”
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest

guest

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

Alpen Air tecnam P2012 Traveller Aircraft over Munich
Munich Airport Faces Halts due to Drone Sightings
Airports Breaking News Incidents & Accidents
An Emirates plane lands on the tarmac with a large city skyline in the background filled with high-rise buildings.
Emirates Enhances Accomodations for Passengers with Accessibility Needs
Airlines Travel
The outside of the Cardiff Airport Terminal building.
Cardiff Airport Appoints New CEO
Airports Careers
aircraft take off from the airport runway and starts flying
airBaltic celebrates 30 years of flying in Finland
Aircraft Airlines Aviation
Trainers at the new Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence.
Emirates Launches New Centre of Hospitality Excellence
Airlines Aviation
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • Latest News
  • Subscribe
  • Weekly Digest
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Media Coverage
  • Press & Events
  • Join Our Team
  • Our Brands

Signup to our Newsletter!

And get the latest aviation news via our weekly news digest!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Not a member? Sign Up