Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to search results

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 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