The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas. It became known for producing a variety of military and commercial aircraft, including the famous DC-3, which revolutionized air travel in the 1930s. The company played a significant role in World War II by supplying military planes like the C-47 Skytrain. In 1967, Douglas merged with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation to form McDonnell Douglas, which continued to produce notable aircraft, including the DC-10 and MD-80. The company eventually became part of Boeing in 1997, further shaping the aviation industry.