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jumbo jet

This Happened—January 22: The World's First "Jumbo Jet"

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On this day in 1970, Boeing 747, the world's first "jumbo jet", enters commercial service in on a Pan Am flight from New York to London.

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How much did the Boeing 747 cost?

Pan Am head Juan Trippe sought an efficient way to place 400 passengers on one plane. By 1968, the program cost $1 billion, or over $7 billion today.

What was the reaction to the Boeing 747?

Some described it as being as big as a church, while the San Francisco Chronicle called it a "bulbous-nosed whale with wings". People were generally in shock about the size of the plane, impressed that it could carry hundreds of passengers.

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Geopolitics
taiwan elections

D.C. Or Beijing? Two High-Stakes Trips — And Taiwan's Divided Future On The Line

Two presidents of Taiwan, the current serving president, Tsai Ing-wen, and her predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou from the opposition Kuomintang party, are traveling in opposite directions these days. Taiwan must choose whom to follow.

Photo of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen

Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan

Simon Liu / Office of the President
GeopoliticsTaiwanChinaSourcesFRANCE INTERfeatured-postCountries
Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan, is traveling to the United States today. Not on an official trip because Taiwan is not a state recognized by Washington, but in transit, en route to Central America, a strategy that allows her to pass through New York and California.

Ma Ying-jeou, a former president of Taiwan, arrived yesterday in Shanghai: he is making a 12-day visit at the invitation of the Chinese authorities at a time of high tension between China and the United States, particularly over the fate of Taiwan.

It would be difficult to make these two trips more contrasting, as both have the merit of summarizing at a glance the decisive political battle that is coming. Presidential and legislative elections will be held in January 2024 in Taiwan, which could well determine Beijing's attitude towards the island that China claims by all means, including force.

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