In the second episode of Stratagems, we will explore the audacious (and crazy) story of Boeing and the release of the 747. The Jumbo Jet (nickname by the press) would go on to change the aviation industry at every level, while allowing a growing middle class to experience air travel.
The 747 is big in every metric possible but this is not necessarily a strategy with a happy ending. The aircraft manufacturing industry is tough and was once described by Jean Pierson, CEO of Airbus, with a single sentence; “you can't win, you can't break even, and you can't quit.” You’ll see why unit economics are inescapable like gravity and why issues can persist for years, such as what we see with the 737 MAX.
Boeing captured the zeitgeist of 1960 America, a bold and innovative era where anything seemed possible. From putting on a man on the moon to toppling the existing political structures. Get ready to go back in time and relive one of the most exciting decades in American history.
Episode Chapters:
(08:49) Boeing: Aviation Royalty
(21:57) The Jet Age
(36:56) The Cultural Decade
(51:13) The 747 is Born
(01:10:38) A Changed World
(01:29:42) Conclusion
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Background music is called "Adding the Sun" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) / Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
Season 1, Episode 2
The Audaciousness of Boeing's 747 & Big Strategic Bets