William Allan Patterson, an outstanding pioneer of commercial aviation, began his career as a banker. He became involved in aviation when he gave a loan to the struggling Pacific Air Transport Company in 1927, and later suggested its sale to the Boeing Airplane Company. Impressed by Patterson, Boeing's president hired him to be his assistant in 1929, managing Boeing Air Transport, Pacific Air Transport, National Air Transport and Varney Air Lines. Patterson became president of United Airlines in 1934 and forged these four small airlines into the nation's largest. He introduced air express service, free fare for wives, created the first flight kitchen to ensure quality food service, and introduced the first airline stewardess. He also established a "Rule of Five: Safety, Dependability, Passenger Comfort, Honesty and Sincerity," as operating goals for United, and introduced important employee benefit programs. During World War II, more than half of United's DC-3s joined the Military Air Transport System, modifying bombers, hauling supplies to Alaska and to the Pacific Theater, and training over 7,000 military navigators. Strong demand for air travel arose during the post-World War II economic boom that swept through the U.S. and Patterson responded. In October 1955, he announced a $175-million contract for 30 Douglas DC-8 aircraft, making United the first U.S. airline to order jetliners. Patterson's outstanding contributions to aviation can be measured by his professionalism in airline development and his innovations in passenger service. He is also remembered for his personal concern for employees, whom he considered United's greatest resource. "Stockholders and employees are equal partners," he stated.
Inducted in 2006.
Portrait Location: Near R-44 and B-5 Brougham