| (1899
- 1990) |
| Inducted: |
1976 |
| Region: |
Northeast |
| Industry: |
Transportation
|
|
Cyrus R. Smith started his 65-year career in the aviation industry at Aviation Corp. By 1934 it had evolved into American Airlines and Smith was its president. Smith traveled on the airline so that he could get ideas for better service. American led the industry in passenger miles for 23 of the next 24 years. Smith and his chief engineer, William Littlewood, worked closely with the manufacturer, Donald Douglas, in the development of the famous DC-3 that went into service in 1936. Smith retired in 1968 to become Secretary of Commerce. |
