Donald Douglas (1892-1981), American aviation pioneer. Following time in a US Naval Academy, where he built and tested model aeroplanes, Douglas decided on a career in aeronautical engineering. He completed a four-year bachelor of science course in half the time and, after working for a number of companies, co-founded the Davis- Douglas Company in 1920. Four years later it became Douglas Aircraft. During the American Depression, Douglas kept his company solvent by building military aircraft. In 1932, the company began producing transporters, including the DC3 'Dakota', which revolutionised airline flying.