Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to search results

Archives at The Museum of Flight


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.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

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.

The Museum of Flight | 9404 E. Marginal Way South | Seattle WA 98108-4097 | 206-764-5874
Contact us with a research request
curator@museumofflight.org