Philip Gustav Johnson was a pioneer in the manufacturing of airplanes and in the organization of commercial airlines in the United States and Canada. Born in Seattle on November 5, 1894, Johnson was the son of Swedish immigrants Charles S. and Hanna (Gustavson) Johnson. He attended Seattle grade schools and graduated from Broadway High School on Capitol Hill.
Johnson was a mechanical engineering student in the University of Washington College of Engineering when the Boeing engineering department recruited him in 1917. He held successive positions in the Engineering Department (1917-1918), the Production Department (1918-1919), as Superintendent (1919-1922), as Vice-president, and as General Manager (1922-1926), becoming president of the company in 1926. He was president of four companies that preceded United Airlines--Boeing Air Transport , Pacific Air Transport, National Air Transport and Varney Air Lines--and in 1933, of United Aircraft and Transport Company, the parent company merging Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, and other companies.
In 1934, as a result of the scandal surrounding the assignment of air mail contracts, Johnson resigned his position as president. Among the conditions allowing airlines to bid for new air mail contracts was the requirement that the company not employ any executives present at the 1930 “spoils conference” with Postmaster General Brown, where lucrative air mail contracts had been allotted. Johnson resigned his position with Boeing, leaving for Canada in 1937 to assume the post of Vice-President in charge of operations for Trans-Canada Air Lines. Simultaneously, he was president of Kenworth Motor Truck Company, a position he held until his death in 1944.
In 1939, the legislation that had driven Johnson out of Boeing was rescinded. With the company losing money and with an increased demand for aircraft in wartime, Johnson returned to Seattle and resumed the presidency of Boeing, supervising the production of the B-17 Flying Fortress bombers and putting Boeing back on its feet financially.
Johnson also served on the Board of Directors for the Pacific National Bank, Puget Sound Power and Light, and Puget Sound Navigation Company; he was also named the “First Citizen” of Seattle in 1943.
Johnson married Catherine Foley in 1925; the Johnson’s had two children, Esther (b. 1926) and Philip G. Jr.(b. 1930). Phil Johnson died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Wichita, Kansas, on September 14, 1944, while on business for Boeing.
Scrapbooks, correspondence, government documents, photographs, publications and ephemera, 1913-1960 (bulk 1925-1945).
The 25 scrapbooks of clippings and ephemera document the development of the aviation industry and Boeing companies, and the career of Philip G. Johnson. The personal and professional papers include extensive documentation of the construction of Johnson’s Tudor style home at Woodway Park, biographical and memorial materials about Johnson’s life and work, papers related to Johnson’s other professional activities, as well as some family papers. Subject files consist largely of correspondence, transcripts and government documents related to the 1934 Senate investigation headed by Hugo Black into the assignment of air mail contracts. The photographs depict many individuals in the aviation industry in the United States and Canada, including executives, pilots and military officers, as well as men in related industries.
Arranged in 6 series:
The collection is open to the public by appointment.
The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.
Philip G. Johnson scrapbooks and other material, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle
Gift of Philip G. Johnson, Jr., 1982 (Accession No.1982.82). Scrapbook comprising Accession No. 2007.3.2 was found in the museum collection.
Materials were numbered upon accessioning. Materials were rearranged intellectually during creation of the finding aid, though the numbering and physical arrangement were retained.
Photographs were removed from albums and sleeved or foldered for preservation purposes. A selection of Christmas cards was removed from the Christmas card scrapbooks and placed in folders; the rest were discarded.
The volume
The donation included three plaques. These artifacts are cataloged and stored separately by MOHAI’s Collections Department.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
Set of black scrapbooks embossed with the year and Johnson’s name; one red scrapbook is embossed with a title and year.
These scrapbooks, consisting largely of newspaper clippings, document developments in the aviation industry in general (such as aircraft development, landmark flights, aviation records, crashes, lives and deaths of aviators, and development of commercial, passenger and air mail service), and in Boeing companies in particular (creation of companies, various mergers, samples of Boeing advertisements, aircraft development, and labor relations). The scrapbooks also document the career of Johnson, including the period when he left Boeing to work for Trans-Canada Air Lines. The clippings document aviation related news, with extensive coverage given to the cancellation of air mail contracts in 1934, and related investigations and court proceedings; The scrapbooks also contain occasional items of a social nature, such as wedding announcements. The albums contain ephemera such as copies of Boeing News and Aviation News, first day covers from air mail routes, advertising samples for Boeing, Kenworth and other companies, plane schedules, and flight related memorabilia.
Other notable content for each album is indicated in the inventory below.
Documents the early Boeing Navy FB-3 pursuit plane; air races at Sand Point; Boeing’s first air mail flight from Chicago to San Francisco; and the beginning of passenger flights.
Documents the growth of commercial aviation; Boeing’s purchase of a large interest in Pacific Air Transport; George Williams’s flight over the North Pole; the dedication of Boeing Field; the beginning of the Boeing Airplane and Transport Company; the first Aeronautical Exposition in Chicago; the formation of United Aircraft and Transport Corporation; the death of pilot Ed Hubbard. Also includes the 1928 Boeing catalog and a 15-page log of Mrs. Boeing’s flight on a 12-passenger plane.
Includes an article by Johnson, “Recent Developments in Air Transport,” and a booklet for the Boeing School of Aeronautics.
Includes clippings about Johnson’s plans to build a residence at
Woodway Park for $350,000; about production of Army planes; the Air Mail Act of
1930; the dedication of the Daniel Guggenheim Hall of Aeronautics at the
University of Washington; 29-hour service from Seattle to Chicago; and the
launching of the William Boeing’s motor yacht
Includes an article about Amelia Earhart’s visit to Seattle, and articles about the “recent and popular innovation” of replacing male couriers on planes with female stewardesses.
Includes clippings about the merger of National Transport, Boeing, Pacific Air Transport and Varney under United Aircraft Corporation, with Johnson as President; the beginnings of air traffic control using radios and magnetic maps; the death of Thomas D. Stimson in his private plane; the development of the dirigible; female aviator Ruth Nichols.
Includes an article about Wiley Post and Harold Gatty’s progress on a trans-global flight. Also includes a United Air Lines schedule.
Includes clippings on the inauguration of night flying; the use of “lighthouse keepers” and radios; and a 31 hour coast-to-coast flight.
Includes articles about navigation instruments and the increasing adoption of passenger air travel.
Includes articles about Eleanor Roosevelt flying on United Air Lines, with original letters signed by Mrs. Roosevelt; about feeding air passengers; and the introduction of automatic pilot, the “airobot.”
Includes a program for a testimonial dinner for Postmaster General James A. Farley.
The three 1934 albums extensively document events surrounding the Air Mail Scandal of 1934.
This first album includes articles about allegations that Postmaster General Walter Brown awarded contracts to a few large companies without competitive bidding and the apparent burning of Brown’s files on air mail contracts after he left office; and about the Senate investigative committee, chaired by then Senator Hugo Black. Includes articles about the millions made by air line executives at a time when companies were receiving government subsidies; the arrest of Assistant Secretary William P. MacCracken for his refusal to hand over his records; Roosevelt’s cancellation of air mail contracts and his decision to use of the Army Air Corps for delivery of air mail; and Charles Lindbergh’s rebukes of Roosevelt for cancellation of contracts. Also documents the first of several fatal crashes of army planes carrying airmail.
Documents the suspension of army air mail flights after continued crashes and pilot deaths; the beginnings of conditional return of air mail to private companies; and the ban of some airline executives (including Johnson) from the industry. Documents United Air Lines personal suit against Postmaster General James Farley for deprivation of due process. Also includes United Aircraft & Transport Corporation 1933 annual report and a page of handwritten notes on air mail bids.
Includes articles about William Boeing selling his interest in UATC after the passage of the Air Mail Act of 1934; and Lindbergh’s defense of “black listed” air operators. This album contains no documentation of Johnson’s activities during this period.
Documents Johnson’s appointment as Vice-President of operations for Trans-Canada Air Lines, and as President of Kenworth Motor Truck Company. Consists largely of articles about Johnson, and includes Johnson’s original notes from his survey trip of Trans-Canada in February 1937.
Largely concerning Trans-Canada Air Lines. Includes a 1938 annual report.
Largely articles about Trans-Canada Air Lines. Also includes ephemera from the Johnson’s attendance at the January 1939 opening of Canadian Parliament, attended by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Includes an article about the crash of a Boeing Stratoliner during a test flight, killing 10.
Includes Trans-Canada and Boeing news and the announcement of Johnson’s resignation, in September, at Trans-Canada and his resumption of duties as President at Boeing.
Documents union activity at Boeing, including a work stoppage at the Boeing plant for a mass union meeting of 5000 workers, and accusations of Communism against union leaders. Also includes articles about the need to expand the Boeing plant to accommodate the building of bombers for the Allies.
Includes continued documentation of labor union activities and accusations of Communism; also articles about the U.S. Army order of 1,000 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses.
This album includes an article by Johnson about his trip to England to survey aviation plants and see Boeing’s Flying Fortresses in action. Also includes articles about women working at Boeing plants, and Boeing’s receipt of Army-Navy “E” awards for excellence.
This album documents Johnson's trip to England to tour aircraft production factories. Consists largely of a series of 28 photographs, most captioned "British Official Photograph-- U.S. Aircraft Production Chiefs at British Factory--A return mission of U.S. Aircraft Production leaders is visiting Great Britain under the auspices of the Ministry of Aircraft Production." Scrapbook also includes a souvenir photo album containing 10 images depicting Johnson on his factory tours, embossed on cover "29th October 1942." Ephemera consists mostly of menus and clippings related to Johnson's trip. Also includes two confidential reports on Johnson's trip. Includes a drawing of Johnson, and two loose photographs, one from 1927.
Includes further documentation of union conflicts; articles about Boeing’s contributions to the war; and about the crash of a Boeing plane on a test flight into the Frye Packing Co. plant, killing pioneer test flight pilot Eddie Allen and 10 others. Also includes clippings about Johnson being named as Seattle’s “First Citizen” for 1943.
Includes articles about the production of B-29 Super Fortress to replace the B-17 Flying Fortress and articles about the first B-29s in action in Japan. Also documents the “Five Grand,” the 5,000th Flying Fortress, covered completely with the names of the Boeing workers who built it. Also includes the text of the Republican National platform.
This album documents the death of Phil Johnson on September 12 in Wichita, Kansas.
Includes articles on the death of Johnson’s mother, and on a Bellevue forum on the return of the Nisei.
Arranged in 7 subseries:
Essays, resumes and clippings. Also includes materials about his father Charles Johnson and daughter Esther Johnson.
Includes note from a nun at Rosary Heights to Philip Jr., upon sending him the scrapbook of clippings about his father in 1962.
Book commemorating Johnson’s award of Seattle First Citizen award, including text of addresses, photographs and letters of congratulation.
Extensive documentation of the construction of Johnson’s residence at Woodway Park, including decorator blueprints, materials schedules, specifications and receipts for a variety of construction costs. Also includes photographs of furnishings, probably taken at the time of the house’s sale.
49 photographs with notes on verso regarding object, location in house, and/or price.
Set of 9 drawings by Lenygon & Morant Inc., decorators from New York, N.Y. Also includes several drawings of pieces of furniture.
Receipts for surveying, plumbing and heating, architect, construction of tennis court, windows and doors, road survey, electrical work, cord wood, window glass, terrazzo floors, and paving of driveway.
Includes a blueprint by architect David J. Myers containing listings of materials and finishes for each surface of each room. Also includes a booklet by Myers “Specifications for General Work for Residence and Garage, etc. on Tract 15, Woodway Park for Mr. Philip G. Johnson.”
Includes “Reports of Progress” from architect David Myers; correspondence between Myers and Johnson regarding construction; and other correspondence regarding work done at the Woodway Park residence. Also includes miscellaneous receipts.
Mostly from Lenygon & Morant, New York City
Also includes correspondence regarding vacating of road near Johnson’s property
Furnishings of Johnson residence at Woodway Park (1944) and W.S. Ross apartment at Michigan Avenue North (1931)
Correspondence regarding possible purchase of nearby Corporation owned tidelands by Woodway Park property owners; regarding subdivision restriction limits and water maintenance costs.
Mostly incoming correspondence from Pacific National Bank of Seattle. Also includes a tentative outline of Catherine and Philip Johnson’s wills.
Correspondence between Johnson and Alfred Frank, mining engineer of Salt Lake City, Utah, regarding subscription in mining venture in New Mexico.
Johnson was a member of the Board of Directors.
Correspondence regarding stock and Johnson’s nomination for Board of Directors.
Regarding Johnson’s interests in Cascade Mountain farm property (includes 5 photographs of property); and Johnson’s election to membership in the Wings Club (includes a copy of the
Notable items include:
Includes school records, yearbooks and 30 letters written to his mother from school.
Philip Johnson, Jr.’s copy of a booklet about his mother’s family. Photographs pasted in pages at back of book depict Catherine Foley Johnson and her children Esther and Philip, Jr.; Catherine’s mother Mary Clarke Foley and father, Matthew James Foley; Catherine’s grandparents (?) Hugh G. Clarke and Ellen Burke Clarke, Michael Foley and Ellen Burke Foley; Philip Johnson and paintings of Johnson’s parents.
Resolution in burgundy leather folder. Includes letter to Mrs. Johnson. Johnson was a member of the Board of Directors
Brown leather volume in slipcase.
Black trifold embossed folder containing letters. Also includes a photograph of Philip Johnson Jr., being inducted into the Army (1952)
The Black Investigation files include papers and government documents relevant to the investigation of preference in the assigning of air mail contracts to commercial carriers by Postmaster General Walter Brown, the cancellation of commercial airline contracts by the federal government in 1934, and the subsequent lawsuits.
Includes:
Black investigation questionnaire and correspondence about its submission (1933); transcript of Col. Paul Henderson’s formal statement on the Kelly bill; request for information about company stock bought by Johnson (November 1933). Also includes four Post Office Department Air Mail route maps.
Regarding Johnson’s employment records, expense accounts and records of stock ownership. Also includes reports of operating revenue and expenses for Boeing Air Transport, Pacific Air Transport, Varney Air Lines and National Air Transport routes.
Also includes completed questionnaires about air mail routes and list of Order of Expiration of Air Mail contracts.
Includes Johnson’s UATC stock details; copies of documents taken by the Black Committee, such as minutes of stockholder meetings; statement on United bonus system; UATC annual report (1932); correspondence with Fred Rentschler and between William Boeing and Rentschler.
“Performance Estimate,” “Weights and Balances” and “General Arrangement” for Boeing Airplane Company Models 238 and 239.
Correspondence from Johnson to bank regarding payment of Boeing debt; transcript of phone conversation about price dispute over purchase of wings.
Telegrams, correspondence and other papers regarding Johnson’s “Inspection Trip” to England.
Series also contains a few drawings that were in albums or portfolios with the photographs.
These photographs are inscribed on the back, probably by Johnson’s wife, Kate Johnson, after his death; some of these inscriptions are noted in quotation marks after the item description. Many of the photographs are signed, with inscriptions to Johnson.
“Minister of Transportation of the Canadian Government-Ottawa, 1937-1940. American born - became Canadian citizen”
“Mr. Hungerford was president of Canadian National Ry. - and Trans Canada Air Lines was an affiliated government airline”
“Ch[airman} of Board, Seattle First National Bank - personal friend of P.G. Johnson”
“Head of engineering at Boeing airplane factory - until he became president in 1934 when Philip Johnson resigned at Mr. Roosevelt’s order on account of litigation between airlines and Post Office Dept. When Philip Johnson returned from Canada in 1939 - he again took over the presidency of Boeing - and C.L. Egvedt became Chairman - an advisory position only.”
“Erik H. Nelson became a general at time of 2nd World War. Flies around the world in Army flight of 1924.”
“Personal friend, business connection - Pipe Company. Pal of Erik Nelson - early day auto racer, flyer - grandson of Overholt Rye family, Pottsdam, Penn.”
“Puget Sound Sheet Metal Co., Seattle”
“An insurance executive in New York. Handled much of early aviation insurance.”
“Croil Hunter - was at this time 1940 - president of Northwest Airlines”
“President of Kenworth Motor Truck Co. - also neighbor in Woodway Park - lived next to David Whitcomb. After his death Philip Johnson took over Kenworth Motor Truck Co. and operated it until death (1944) when it was sold to Paul Pigott.”
“N.Y. - Adv. Executive for firm handling Boeing Airplane Co.- early 40s and until Phil’s death.”
“Salt Lake City (airline interests, goldmine interests). Personal friend - gave us an Irish Setter from a fine kennel in Salt Lake.”
“C.P. Edwards - lived in Ottawa - connected with Canadian Post Office. Became personal friend at time of Trans Canada Airline establishment.”
“...was in Canadian National office at Montreal - personal friend.”
“Ex-Canadian airman - connected with Reed Chambers Insurance firm in New York -had an office in Montreal and handled much of Trans Canada’s Insurance [...] personal friend - by birth was from British South Africa.”
“Ottawa, Canada - connected with Canadian Post Office”
“Name? - Connected with Canadian Post Office, Ottawa - 1937-1940 approx. time”
“With Nat. City Bank N.Y. at time Boeing Air Transport was organized - later in his own firm - Harriman. Personal friend.”
Many of the photographs are inscribed to Johnson or both Philip and Kate Johnson. These are largely studio portraits. Includes one newspaper article about aviator Slim Lewis.
Gott was President of Boeing before Johnson.
Friend of William Boeing from Chicago
Published in the
Many of the photographs are inscribed to Johnson or both Philip and Kate Johnson.
Signed by Bertha and William Boeing, Erik Nelson and Mary and John Ryan, dated September 4-23, 1931
Head of Boeing plant in Wichita
Caption: “Philip G. Johnson, builder of Boeing bombers, was a boy wonder when it came to anything mechanical"
Reprinted from
Includes cards with aviation motifs, from various aviation companies or with images referring to contemporary events.
Page removed from Christmas card scrapbook. Pencil drawing of a woman lassoing a man, with a branding iron “hubby” in a fire.
Four pencil sketches, one pen and ink drawing and one postcard reproduction. Portraits and caricatures of: Florence Heiman, Bill Bowman, Mario Scacheri, Bob Heustis, Phyllis Richards and Kate Foley Johnson (Johnson’s wife).
Scrapbook of promotional materials.
Embossed on cover: “Weather Manual--United Airlines.” “P.G. Johnson” embossed inside.