Arthur Emmons Raymond facts for kids
Arthur Emmons Raymond (born March 24, 1899, in Boston, Massachusetts – died March 22, 1999, in Santa Monica, California) was a brilliant engineer who designed airplanes. He is most famous for leading the team that created the DC-3, a plane that truly changed air travel forever. He almost lived to be 100 years old!
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Early Life and Education
Arthur Raymond grew up in Pasadena, California. His father owned a fancy hotel. Arthur was very smart and went to top universities. He earned his first degree from Harvard University. Then, in 1921, he got a master's degree in aeronautical engineering from MIT. This education prepared him for an amazing career in aviation.
Building a Career in Aviation
Arthur Raymond spent his entire working life at the Douglas Aircraft Company. He started at the very bottom, working as a metal fitter. But he quickly moved up the ranks. Eventually, he became the Chief Engineer. He helped design many important Douglas airliners, from the early DC-1 to the much later DC-8 jet.
During World War II, Arthur Raymond played a huge role. He helped manage the massive effort to build tens of thousands of aircraft. These planes were crucial for the war effort.
The Legendary DC-3 Airplane
Arthur Raymond is best known as the main designer of the DC-3. This plane was so important it was called "The Plane That Changed the World." Before the DC-3, airlines often needed government help to make money. The DC-3 was the first airliner that could earn a profit just by carrying passengers. It didn't need extra money from the government or from carrying mail.
The military version of the DC-3 was called the C-47. In Europe, people knew the DC-3 as the "Dakota." Arthur's grandson, Stephen, said that Arthur knew "every bolt and screw in that plane."
Between 1934 and 1945, about 10,600 DC-3s and C-47s were built. This made it the most produced airliner of all time. Even when Arthur Raymond passed away, around 2,000 DC-3s were still flying. About 400 of them were still being used for commercial flights.
Beyond Douglas: NASA and RAND
After retiring from Douglas in 1960, Arthur Raymond continued his important work. NASA asked him to help supervise outside companies working on big space projects. He worked on Project Gemini and the Apollo program until 1969. These were the programs that eventually put humans on the Moon!
In the late 1960s, some companies wanted to build a super-fast airliner. They asked the US government for a lot of money to help build it. Arthur Raymond argued that this plane would not make money on its own. Because of his advice, the US government stopped funding the American supersonic transport in 1971. The project then ended.
After World War II, Raymond suggested an idea to the USAF. He thought they should create a group to think about future warfare. This idea led to the creation of the Rand Corporation. He was one of its founding members. He also helped start the National Academy of Engineering.
Legacy and Recognition
Arthur Raymond was known for being honest and speaking his mind. His grandson Stephen said he was the kind of person who would "speak truth to power." People trusted him to find problems, even when others said everything was perfect.
In 1991, he received the National Air and Space Museum Lifetime Achievement Trophy. This award recognized his incredible contributions to aviation. He passed away just two days before his 100th birthday.
