Originally Posted by
Gardyloo
My parents both worked for Douglas and I was at the inaugural takeoff of the first DC-8 in Long Beach. Like many of the 707s (which had entered service a year earlier) most of the DC-8s used water injection (and were called "water burners") as a means of increasing thrust at takeoff and also to cool the turbine blades at high RPMs. The upshot was that some of the fuel went unburnt, leading to the black smoke exhaust trails. But fuel was very cheap then.
Here's a cool 1959 UAL promo film covering a DC-8 transcon flight. Takeoff is around 5:40 in. Note the cabin amenities, also the ethnic makeup of the pax and crew.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4QgK8dfw1U
Really enjoyed this video. Of course, I was only a youngster when this was made but enjoyed many pleasant flights on DC 8's over the years.
When viewing the video, I wondered how much has really IMPROVED over the years, beyond just what changed. I don't see many red carpet lounges in first class or lounges in couch now a days. As you noted, the demographic has changed dramatically (no backpackers on this flight), and the video referred to "the men who know.." --- the pilots and maintenance people who are all men, apparently. But the stewardesses are female!! And of course, the "gentlemen" were smoking on the plane. Maybe someone will start another thread on the real "improvements".
Couldn't help but notice the lack of desk computers in the office, no cell phones or ipads. How did they ever do it???
This video was over 55 years ago-- the stone age for many on FlyerTalk.
Thanks for the great memories!