BUS 1 NESS 1955: Aviation: The Jet Age

AVIATION The Jet Age

With a splash of purple-worded publicity (“breakfast in London . . . predinner swim at Waikiki”), U.S. commercial aviation last week made its long-awaited move to jet-propelled aircraft. Pan American World Airways signed contracts for 25 Douglas DC-8s and 20 Boeing 707 four-jet airliners. It was the first deal to buy U.S. commercial jets. Total price: $269 million, the biggest in airline history. The deal is certain to be followed by purchase orders from other carriers. National Airlines is expected to sign for six DC-8s on which it took a verbal option last August. For the traveler, the jets will bring a new age.

UTILITIES Private Atomic Power

The building of the nation’s first privately owned atomic power plant was announced last week. Consolidated Edison Co. of New York will construct a 100,000 to 200,000-kw. plant 30 miles from Manhattan on the Hudson River at Indian Point (site of an amusement park). The plant will produce about 4% of the company’s present capacity, cost $30 million to $40 million. Says President Hudson R. Searing: “It represents a real contribution to the advancement of the art.”