Boeing is a major aerospace and defense company founded by William E. Boeing in Seattle in 1917. It is the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer and third largest maker of military aircraft and weapons. Boeing is a major service provider to NASA and helps operate the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. The company has a long tradition of aerospace leadership and innovation. Its revenues are in excess of $60 billion a year, making it the USA’s largest exporter. It is also a huge employer, with around 160,000 employees. Boeing became a leader in manufacturing commercial jet airliners in 1958 with the introduction of the Boeing 707, a four-engine, 156-passenger airliner. Successive versions of this aircraft lead to today’s super jumbo 747 and 777 jets and the new 787 Dreamliner.