DIAMOND DELTA: FROM A BLUE-COLLAR AVIATION OUTFIT TO A PREMIER GLOBAL AIRLINE IN 75 YEARS

This article gives a historical overview of Delta Air Lines, looking at how the airline has grown from its origins in the cropdusting business, to winning postal contracts, to becoming one of the world's largest airlines. Delta began it cropdusting services in 1923 under the helm of its founding father C. E. Woolman. In 1929, Woolman expanded his company by adding on a passenger service component known as Delta Air Service. While the airline was awarded a successful postal contract in 1934, it also resumed its passenger service. The airline continued its expansion by lobbying for new routes, upgrading its fleet, and joining the jet age in 1959 by introducing DC-8s on its long-haul routes. Much of the article looks at the impact that deregulation, takeovers, and mergers had on Delta over the years.