Wilson, T. A. (Thornton Arnold), 1921-1999
Person
Dates
- Existence: 1921-1999
Biographical Note: T.A. Wilson
T.A. Wilson was President of the Boeing Company in the 1970s.
Born in Missouri, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Iowa State University and then a Master's degree from the California Institute of Technology. He started working at the Boeing Company in 1943, working on bomber programs, notably the swept-wing B-47 Stratojet and B-52 Stratofortress. He also led the proposal team that won the contract for the Minuteman missile. He rose to become president of the company in 1968, chief executive officer in 1969, and chairman in 1972. He retired in 1986 as CEO and retired as chairman in 1987.
Among awards he won were the NAS Award in Aeronautical Engineering in 1985 from the National Academy of Sciences and the Tony Jannus Award in 1992. He was married to Grace Wilson and had three children. He died at age 78 in Palm Springs, California.
Born in Missouri, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Iowa State University and then a Master's degree from the California Institute of Technology. He started working at the Boeing Company in 1943, working on bomber programs, notably the swept-wing B-47 Stratojet and B-52 Stratofortress. He also led the proposal team that won the contract for the Minuteman missile. He rose to become president of the company in 1968, chief executive officer in 1969, and chairman in 1972. He retired in 1986 as CEO and retired as chairman in 1987.
Among awards he won were the NAS Award in Aeronautical Engineering in 1985 from the National Academy of Sciences and the Tony Jannus Award in 1992. He was married to Grace Wilson and had three children. He died at age 78 in Palm Springs, California.
Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:
Biographical Information Files - W
Sub-Group
Scope and Contents
Individuals whose names begin with W: Wackett, Lawrence, Sir [Director, Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation] "Some Experiences of a Pioneer in the Aircraft Industry in Australia." Journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society, May 1959. Waddell, Jack [Boeing engineering test pilot] "Getting Ready for the Big One," Boeing magazine, December 1968 Wade,...
William Hough "Bill" Cook Jr. Papers
Collection
Identifier: 2017-10-26
Abstract
The William Hough “Bill” Cook, Jr. Papers are comprised of documents, photographs, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia pertaining to the life and work of Bill Cook, Jr. A significant portion of this collection is made up of correspondence, both personal and professional. Major topics include the Boeing high speed wind tunnel, the B-29, B-47, and B-17 bombers, the development of the YC-14 short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft, and research on supersonic transport.
T.A. Wilson Collection
Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2000-08-28
Content Description
The T.A. Wilson Collection is a small collection consisting of one certificate and three photographs from about 1930-1975. The certificate is an award Wilson received in 1975 for distinguisehd achievement from the Wings Club reconginzing his work at the Boeing Company. The photographs are all formal portraits of Wilson. They consist of a 6x8" black-and-white photograph of Wilson as a young boy; a 5x7" black-and-white photograph of Wilson as a young man; and an 8x10" color photograph of Wilson...
Found in:
The Museum of Flight Archives
/
T.A. Wilson Collection
Harold W. Zipp Collection
Collection
Identifier: 1992-11-12
Abstract
Harold W. Zipp was an engineer at the Boeing Company for forty years. The collection documents his career, particularly his tenure in Wichita, Kansas, with diaries, photographs and other documents.
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