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Archives at The Museum of Flight


Wells, Edward C., 1910-1986

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1910 - 1986

Biographical Note: Edward C. Wells

Edward Curtis Wells was born on August 26, 1910 in Boise, Idaho. He graduated from Grant High School in Portland, Oregon and attended Willamette University for two years. Wells transferred to Stanford University and graduated in 1931 with a Baachelor of Arts in Engineering.

He was hired by Boeing in 1931. Wells and fellow engineer E. Gifford Emory designed the protoype Boeing Model 299, the protoype B-17 Flying Fortress. On July 28, 1935, Wells was an observer on the first test flight and subsequent test flight of the 299, flown by Boeing chief test pilot Leslie "Les" R. Tower.

Wells was named Boeing's chief engineer in 1943. In addition to the B-17, he helped design the Boeing 707 and 747. During his time at Boeing, Wells also served as senior vice president and on the board of directors.

Wells married Dorothy Evangeline Ostlund (1911-1995) on August 25, 1934. The couple had a daughter, Laurie Jo. Edward C. Wells died on July 1, 1986 in Bellevue, Washington.

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 ...
Dates: 20th Century
Found in: The Museum of Flight Archives / The Museum of Flight Biographical Information Files

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.

Dates: 1925-2012; Majority of material found within 1938-1974
Found in: The Museum of Flight Archives

Edward C. Wells Boeing Model 299 logbook and letter

 Collection
Identifier: 2010-06-17
Contents of the Collection The collection contains two items: the original logbook for flight tests of the Boeing Model 299, and a letter from Boeing engineer Edward C. Wells to his father, Edward L. Wells. The logbook, "Log of Plane. Mod - 299. MFG - 1963," includes the license number (13372) and one page of test flight information for eighteen flights, starting on July 28, 1935 and ending on October 24, 1935. The logbook includes the date, length of flight, origination and destination, and purpose, such...
Dates: 1935
Found in: The Museum of Flight Archives

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.

Dates: circa 1930-1971; Majority of material found within 1930-1951
Found in: The Museum of Flight Archives

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