JUAN TERRY TRIPPE:
Founder of Pan American Airlines.
Born Seabright, New Jersey, June 27, 1899. Rated U.S. Naval Aviator in 1918. As managing director of Colonial Air Transport, became an industry leader in the development of passenger airline operations. Founded Pan American in 1927, expanding its operations until by 1931 it provided service throughout the Carribean and South America, and in 1935 achieved global status with the establishment of regular Trans Atlantic and Pacific service by the famed Clipper Flying Boats. It was Pan American to which the U.S. Government turned at the onset of World War II in establishing a world-wide aircraft ferry system and bases.
In the post war years requirements established by Trippe played a major role in the development of both the piston and jet powered high speed long range commercial aircraft. Under his direction Pan American was the first airline to fly American made jet transports.
