It just so happens I randomly caught a documentary about the development of the 747 recently. From an engineering perspective it's amazing. A few tidbits:

- it went from an idea on a gold course to engineering prototype in 2.5 years in an era almost without computers

- Boeing had to build what I believe is the world's largest building to make them

- Boeing saw the 747 as a stopgap while their main focus was on the (doomed SST so Sutter had to try to go any resources. With the SST's cancellation and huge development cost it almost bankrupted Boeing.

- all of this was before simulators so they basically had to build one and take off and see how it flew or even if it flew.

- for much of the development there were no engines powerful enough to fly it, eventually a Pratt and Whitney prototype was used that had a nasty habit of exploding for over a year of flight testing before they figured out why. Nowadays engines are so reliable that the four engine design is essentially dead and many planes will serve their entire life never having their engines replaced.

- the distinctive (now iconic) design with the cockpit and upper deck bulging at the front was to fulfill a dual purpose as a cargo plane. You open up the nose and still get the full body height to load and remove cargo.

- when Boeing agreed to make it (because of a Pan Am request) they had no idea what it would look like.

I think the show was an episode of Mighty Aircraft. Well worth watching.

RIP joe Sutter.