The Unexpected Success of the Boeing 747
The 747, the product of a complex, demanding collaborative design process, became an icon of the modern age, much to Boeing’s surprise.
When Boeing originally designed the 747 they considered it a low-end product, never suspecting that it would become a cultural icon of the modern era.
The Boeing 707 (predecessor to the 747) could carry up to 219 passengers. The first Boeing 747 could carry up to 550 passengers. The newest 747 can carry up to 605 passengers.