The Boeing 737 is one of the most popular aircraft ever produced. More than 7,700 units, all variants combined, have been produced, with an additional 11,275 devices on order. This makes the 737 the most popular airliner to date. The 737 has a wide variety of uses and still remains extremely popular and in high demand. Because it is a mass-produced aircraft, it also constitutes a goal of constant aerodynamic improvements. Boeing looked at everything from designing the anti-collision lights to reducing small gaps in the airfoil. This has created an aircraft that is extremely aerodynamic and efficient in all the tasks it performs. The 737 was established on May 11, 1964, but it was not until November 9, 1964 that production was officially approved. On February 19, 1965, Lufthansa placed its first order for the 737-100 and on April 9, 1967 the 737 made its first flight. By 1970, Boeing had fewer than 35 737 orders and was considering canceling the program. Boeing, however, ultimately decided to withdraw from other areas and continue with the 737 program. By deciding to continue the program, Boeing paved the way for its future success and formed the backbone of many of today's airlines that operate solely the 737. The 737 shares much of the same design as the 707 and the 727. It shares the upper lobe. fuselage, as well as other capabilities such as cargo convertibility. In the 737-200, Boeing allowed the aircraft to transition from carrying passengers to carrying cargo. This allowed the aircraft to have multiple uses. The 737-200 also allowed the use of a gravel kit which allowed landing on unimproved airstrips. Another improvement to the 737 design is the... middle of paper......against all expectations, it has become the company's greatest asset. In order to protect its assets, Boeing is not complacent and instead strives to make a wide variety of aerodynamic improvements. This cemented the 737 as the market leader, and it will maintain its lead for decades to come. ReferencesBoeing: 737 -800 Technical Characteristics. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.boeing.com/boeing/commercial/737family/pf/pf_800tech.pageNext-Generation 737 Improved fuel performance. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/articles/2012_q4/3/Winglets Save billions of dollars in fuel costs. (nd). Retrieved from http://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2010/t_5.html Retrieved from http://active.boeing.com/commercial/orders/displaystandardreport.cfm?cboCurrentModel=737&optReportType=AllModels&cboAllModel=737&ViewReportF=View+Report