Summer Speaker Series: Douglas Aircraft Impacts Air Travel and Santa Monica

This summer, the Conservancy is hosting a series of talks about the history of Santa Monica at the landmark Rapp Saloon. Join us as Mike Machat, well-known aviation artist, author, public speaker and historian, explores Douglas Aircraft’s influential imprint on Santa Monica and how it transformed the city during WWII with thousands of new homes built for its worker, creating Sunset Park and other neighborhoods.

The cost is $10 per lecture or $25 for the series for members; $15 per lecture or $40 for the series for the public. Register online or mail a check to Santa Monica Conservancy, P.O. Box 653, Santa Monica, CA 90406-0653 with your name, email, address, and the number of tickets for each lecture you’d like to attend.

 

 

July 22: Douglas Aircraft Impacts Air Travel and Santa Monica

During the first half of the 20^th century, Santa Monica Airport was synonymous with Douglas, and by 1929, the company was using it exclusively to test and fly production aircraft, including early airliners and military aircraft. During World War II, Douglas Aircraft became a major defense contractor, employing up to 44,000 workers working three shifts around the clock. This economic engine transformed the city as thousands of new homes were built for Douglas workers, creating Sunset Park and other neighborhoods. The increased production demand for aircraft also resulted in the company’s expansion to 227 acres.

Guest speaker Mike Machat, well-known aviation artist, author and historian, will explore Douglas’ long and influential imprint on Santa Monica. He was hired by McDonnell Douglas as a technical illustrator in 1977, working on a long line of Douglas commercial aircraft. Mike’s latest book, Painting Aviation’s Legends: The Art of Michael Machat, is available on Amazon.