01/02/1981 American Aviation pioneer Donald Douglas dies
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Business Legends: Donald Douglas
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Donald W. Douglas -- Remembers
He founded the Douglas Aircraft Company (later merged with McDonnell Aircraft to McDonnell Douglas) in 1921. The company produced the Douglas DC-3 airliner and its equally popular World War II military transport version, the C-47. At the start of the war, Douglas airplanes made up 80% of all commercial aircraft in service.