Boeing's centennial: A look into the photo archives

Boeing will celebrate its 100th anniversary next month, when the centennial of its founding on July 15, 1916, will fall during the Farnborough Airshow near London. The company’s heritage spans from the 1916 “B & W” plane – made of wood, linen and wire – to today’s revolutionary Dreamliner, which was the first commercial jetliner to be made mostly of high-tech composite materials instead of conventional aluminum and steel.

Even ahead of its official anniversary date, Boeing has launched a promotional blitz to help celebrate its centennial. Part of the company’s effort includes the book “Higher: 100 years of Boeing,” a photo-heavy book that chronicles Boeing’s history. In the photo gallery above, aviation enthusiasts can take a look at more than 40 of the book’s photos, which Boeing provided to USA TODAY.

Scroll down to check out some other Boeing-themed photo galleries.

Boeing readies high-flying celebration for 100th anniversary