42:-based carrier. Lawrence's bold and dramatic accomplishments at both airlines earned him the reputation as not only a maverick of the transportation industry but as one of the last legendary titans of aviation. While at Braniff, Lawrence turned the conservative airline into a progressive and flamboyant carrier known for high fashion flight attendant uniforms, exemplary inflight service, and brightly painted planes. Lawrence' revolutionary approach included approving the "End of the Plain Plane" campaign in 1965, which called for imaginative aircraft paint schemes, interiors, and never before seen passenger service comforts. Previous airlines were commonly patterned after less than appealing military operations.
20:
189:, the long time CEO of Continental. Under his tutelage. Lawrence honed his airline administration skills. Six was quoted as saying "one of the biggest reasons we merged with Pioneer was to get Harding." Lawrence, at the time of the merger in 1955, was made Continental's vice president of traffic. He was elevated to executive vice president in 1958 remaining in this position until 1965, when he became President of Braniff International. During his ten-year tenure at Continental the airline grew by 500 percent.
227:
The 727 would become the backbone of the
Braniff Fleet and the key aircraft in its 1971 Fleet Standardization Plan that called for only three aircraft types: Boeing 727 on domestic service, 747 for Hawaii, and DC-8 for South America. When Lawrence took office in May, 1965, Braniff operated thirteen
144:
On July 23, 2017, a
Braniff Trail Historical Plaque was dedicated at the No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum to honor Harding Lawrence's earliest aviation job. The plaque is one of over 30 that will be placed around the world at locations that were important to the history of Braniff Airways.
62:
and
Gladewater. His mother, Helen Beatrice Langley Lawrence (December 6, 1897 – November 23, 1968) managed the Gladwater Hotel. Lawrence was very close to both of his parents and looked after them throughout their lives. Even with Lawrence's great success it was beyond his ability to get his mother
282:
presented the medal to
Lawrence inducting him into the Hall of Fame. He was honored with a video history of his career followed by the induction. Lawrence gave a thirty-minute speech about the state of the airline industry using no notes or aids. This, his final public speech, received a standing
231:
Throughout
Lawrence's tenure Braniff achieved record revenues, profits and traffic as detailed in month after month of Braniff B Liner Employee Newsletters, financial statements, and company annual reports. Under Lawrence's administration Braniff business volume grew from 100 million USD in 1965 to
79:, where his grades earned him membership in an academic honors group. Lawrence was hired in 1940 by Dallas Aviation School, where he became Director of Flying. The school was founded by Major William F. Long, who would employ Lawrence in two additional aviation positions after his wartime service.
140:
instructor. His abilities were quickly noticed, and he was subsequently promoted to supervise the school's maintenance department. Mr. Lawrence was promoted to director of the school. He remained with the school until 1944, and then spent two years on active duty with the US Air Force. The No. 1
269:
On
September 22, 2001, Lawrence returned to his hometown of Perkins, Oklahoma, to act as grand marshal of the annual Old Settler's Fall Harvest. The theme for the 2001 Harvest was "Pioneers of Transportation" with Lawrence as the honored guest. The Perkins City Commission declared the Saturday
223:
aircraft, The aircraft had already been selected before his arrival but not yet ordered. These airplanes were the C model with a large freight loading door at the front of the aircraft, which allowed
Braniff to begin late night cargo service while during the day regular passenger service was
273:
Lawrence was accompanied to the
Festival by his wife Mary Wells Lawrence, Mrs. Henry (Kathleen) Ford II, Ed and Sandy Acker, Jere Cox, and over 40 other family members and Braniff associates. Lawrence was inducted into the Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame at the Omniplex at
133:, hired Lawrence in 1942. Major William F. Long, founder of Dallas Aviation School, also founded the Terrell RAF Cadet School in 1940. The US had just entered World War II and the civilian school procured a government contract to train British pilots.
232:
over 1.5 billion USD in 1980 and nearly doubled its passenger market share. Even during 1980 Braniff continued to set record traffic levels and revenues. Lawrence was bold with his management of
Braniff even attempting to take over the much larger
201:. He had pen and paper in hand and appeared to be watching the bustling Braniff schedule with a keen intensity and specific interest, writing down everything that he saw. Everyone wondered who this was and what was his interest in Braniff.
463:
for his innovative ideas unstinting labors in the development of trade and travel between the
Americas which has brought about a closer cultural interchange and fostered friendship and understanding among the nations and peoples of this
260:
was executive vice president and president of Braniff from 1965 until 1975 and became Chairman of Pan Am in 1981.) During the 1980s, Lawrence worked at Wells Rich Greene advertising agency alongside his wife, advertising legend
224:
operated with the aircraft, doubling the 727 utilization rate and allowed Braniff to open a new cargo business that was called AirGo. The new 727s could also be outfitted in a cargo/passenger configuration, if needed.
265:
who Lawrence married in November, 1967. Mary Wells Lawrence sold her advertising firm Wells Rich Greene in 1990. The Lawrence's enjoyed retirement throughout the 1990s and bought and sold real estate as a side line.
216:. He retired on December 31, 1980, after a long battle to save Braniff from bankruptcy due to the competitive pressure of deregulation combined with a national economic downturn and unprecedented rises in fuel costs.
1001:
236:, Inc. in the early 1970s, which would have served the dual purpose of making Braniff a worldwide air carrier and giving Pan Am access to a United States domestic feeder system. Pan Am's Chairman
208:, chairman of Greatamerica Corporation, to turn Braniff into a world class global airline. Braniff co-founder Thomas Elmer Braniff was an insurance magnate and now the third major owner (Senator
456:
concluded that Harding Lawrence contributed the furthering of unity and understanding for the peoples of the Western Hemisphere and for the development of Inter American Trade and Tourism
294:, at the age of 81 on January 16, 2002. He was preceded in death by his son Harding L. Lawrence, Jr, in 1945, and his parents. He was survived by his son James B. Lawrence of
212:
was the second largest owner of Braniff after 1954) of Braniff was also an insurance executive. Lawrence engineered a remarkable airline overhaul during his 16 years with
986:
228:
different aircraft types. Lawrence also increased daily utilization of its aircraft which increased revenue without adding more aircraft to the fleet.
996:
19:
820:
373:
Air Traffic Conference of America, president, 1950, organization of the traffic and sales officials of nation's 23 scheduled airlines
775:
744:
538:
847:
626:
58:. His father, Moncey Luther Lawrence (November 15, 1888 – March 12, 1954) was a school teacher and a Christian church minister in
589:
291:
939:
899:
Braniff Airways, Inc.; Braniff International Corporation (1965–1981). "Braniff International Airways Annual Reports": multiple.
63:
to retire and move into a new luxurious home he had built for her in Dallas. She operated the hotel until her death in 1968.
874:
411:
213:
83:
35:
334:
153:
After his release from the military, a flight school administrator from Terrell, Texas offered him a job in 1946 with
475:
233:
170:
460:
432:
421:
275:
185:
The merger with Continental put Lawrence directly under the mentoring of Continental founder and President
484:
468:
299:
270:
event as "Harding L. Lawrence Day" and recognized Lawrence for his contributions to the airline industry.
76:
72:
931:
904:
141:
British Flying Training School Museum, Inc., is dedicated to the preservation of the school's history.
298:, his ex-wife, Jimmie George Bland Lawrence, his wife Mary Wells Lawrence, a son State R. Lawrence of
981:
976:
705:
Airways, Inc., Braniff; Braniff Public Relations (1965–1980). "Braniff B Liner Employee Newsletter".
303:
241:
166:
121:, in 1942. They had three sons and one daughter during their marriage. The couple divorced in 1966.
31:
452:
262:
111:
440:
209:
87:
771:
767:
761:
740:
534:
445:
Distinguished Alumnus Award, awarded by the University of Texas, other recipients include Dr.
339:
295:
198:
162:
118:
59:
55:
676:
574:
530:
524:
75:, graduating two years early, but with a less-than-stellar academic record. He then attended
991:
446:
240:
unfortunately refused the idea, preferring to pursue a merger with international competitor
205:
794:
917:
415:
379:
23:
Lawrence in 1966, with one of the new Boeing 727s he introduced into the Braniff fleet.
204:
Braniff employees soon found out he was their new president, hired by insurance magnate
961:
158:
130:
970:
669:
567:
436:
237:
39:
86:, where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1942. He served in the
345:
197:
In early 1965, Lawrence was seen throughout the Braniff International operation at
137:
107:
278:, on Saturday, September 22, 2001, the evening after the festivities in Perkins.
391:
220:
186:
177:
in 1949. He attended school at night while working at Pioneer during the day.
256:
at the request of his former associate C. Edward Acker in the early 1980s. (
956:
302:, and three daughters Deborah M. Lawrence of New York City, Kathy Bryan of
795:"Perkins ready to welcome fall with Old Settlers Harvest Fest Celebration"
310:, Switzerland. At the time of his death Lawrence had seven grandchildren.
287:
279:
257:
219:
During his first month at Braniff, Lawrence executed an order for 12 new
51:
388:
Advisory council, University of Texas Business Administration Foundation
95:
405:
307:
253:
154:
99:
821:"Six inductees bound for state hall of fame for aviation and space"
505:
Kurrus, Theodore; Bill Crump (June 1977). "Citizens of the World".
30:(July 15, 1920 – January 16, 2002) was executive vice president of
690:
Stuart, Alexander (March 26, 1979). "Braniff's Dizzying Takeoff".
18:
425:
103:
91:
932:"Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement"
671:
Splash of Colors The Self Destruction of Braniff International
569:
Splash of Colors The Self Destruction of Braniff International
526:
Splash of Colors The Self Destruction of Braniff International
385:
Airlift Committee, National Defense Transportation Association
174:
722:
Splash of Color The Self Destruction of Braniff International
654:
Splash of Color The Self Destruction of Braniff International
418:, awarded by the Government of Chile, highest civilian honor
1002:
United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II
169:
on April 1, 1955. While in Houston, Lawrence attended
610:"Vice President Of Pioneer Airlines To Address Club".
480:
Distinguished Alumnus Award, University of Texas, 1966
161:, which was also founded by Major Long. Essair became
529:. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc. p.
90:
for two years during World War II, training with the
962:
Braniff Flying Colors Collection and Historical Page
766:. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Random House. pp.
110:. He served in Toronto and at the LAAF Base Unit in
404:Order of Balboa, 1967, awarded by the president of
286:Lawrence died of pancreatic cancer at his villa in
789:
787:
668:
566:
739:. McLean, Virginia: Paladwr Press. p. 125.
875:"Harding L. Lawrence, 81, Airline Chief, Dies"
8:
129:The No. 1 British Flying Training School in
331:Braniff International Corporation, Chairman
560:
558:
556:
554:
552:
550:
518:
516:
117:Lawrence married Jimmie George Bland of
848:"Airline pioneer Harding Lawrence dies"
627:"Airline Pioneer Harding Lawrence Dies"
497:
913:
902:
431:Gold Key Award, 1970, awarded by the
252:In retirement Lawrence consulted for
7:
363:Pan American Society of the US, Inc.
360:Travel Program for Foreign Diplomats
157:, a small commuter carrier based in
707:Braniff B Liner Employee Newsletter
136:Lawrence's duties included that of
34:and then president and chairman of
459:America's Award, 1978, awarded by
376:Council for Latin America, trustee
14:
987:American airline chief executives
292:Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
940:American Academy of Achievement
485:American Academy of Achievement
328:Braniff Airways, Inc., Chairman
322:Dallas Council on World Affairs
590:"Major W. F. Long (1894-1976)"
428:'s highest civilian decoration
357:Dallas Grand Opera Association
125:British Flying Training School
67:Education and military service
1:
997:People from Gladewater, Texas
760:Lawrence, Mary Wells (2002).
588:Texas Historical Commission.
474:Honorary Juris Doctor, 1972,
319:First National Bank of Dallas
214:Braniff International Airways
193:Braniff International Airways
84:University of Texas at Austin
36:Braniff International Airways
846:United Press International.
625:United Press International.
149:Essair and Pioneer Air Lines
763:A Big Life (In Advertising)
467:Honorary LLD Degree, 1968,
435:, other recipients include
412:Order of Bernardo O'Higgins
335:Cessna Aircraft Corporation
82:Lawrence also attended the
1018:
957:Braniff Airways Foundation
852:United Press International
737:Skygods The Fall Of Pan Am
631:United Press International
476:South Texas College of Law
248:Retirement and final years
234:Pan American World Airways
171:South Texas College of Law
354:Dallas County United Fund
612:Greenville Herald Banner
801:. September 19–20, 2001
735:Grandt, Robert (1999).
720:Nance, John J. (1984).
667:Nance, John J. (1984).
652:Nance, John J. (1984).
565:Nance, John J. (1984).
523:Nance, John J. (1984).
276:Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
28:Harding Luther Lawrence
912:Cite journal requires
709:(1965–1980): multiple.
469:University of Portland
351:King Resources Company
306:and Pamela Lombard of
300:Greenwich, Connecticut
106:at Sheppard Field and
94:in Dallas, Texas, and
77:Kilgore Junior College
73:Gladewater High School
24:
22:
483:Golden Plate Award,
461:America's Foundation
410:Title of Commander,
304:Red Bank, New Jersey
242:Trans World Airlines
181:Continental Airlines
167:Continental Airlines
32:Continental Airlines
16:American businessman
936:www.achievement.org
873:Gilpin, Kenneth N.
799:The Perkins Journal
433:Avenue of America's
263:Mary Wells Lawrence
112:Lemoore, California
441:Nelson Rockefeller
414:, March 21, 1968,
210:William A. Blakley
165:, and merged with
88:US Army Air Forces
71:Lawrence attended
25:
394:, president, 1973
368:Other memberships
340:Ling-Temco-Vought
314:Board memberships
296:Greenville, Texas
199:Dallas Love Field
173:and received his
163:Pioneer Air Lines
119:Greenville, Texas
60:Perkins, Oklahoma
56:Gladewater, Texas
1009:
944:
943:
928:
922:
921:
915:
910:
908:
900:
896:
890:
889:
887:
885:
870:
864:
863:
861:
859:
843:
837:
836:
834:
832:
827:. www.newsok.com
817:
811:
810:
808:
806:
791:
782:
781:
757:
751:
750:
732:
726:
725:
717:
711:
710:
702:
696:
695:
687:
681:
680:
674:
664:
658:
657:
649:
643:
642:
640:
638:
622:
616:
615:
607:
601:
600:
598:
596:
585:
579:
578:
572:
562:
545:
544:
520:
511:
510:
502:
422:Order of the Sun
325:Pioneer Airlines
1017:
1016:
1012:
1011:
1010:
1008:
1007:
1006:
967:
966:
953:
948:
947:
930:
929:
925:
911:
901:
898:
897:
893:
883:
881:
872:
871:
867:
857:
855:
845:
844:
840:
830:
828:
819:
818:
814:
804:
802:
793:
792:
785:
778:
759:
758:
754:
747:
734:
733:
729:
719:
718:
714:
704:
703:
699:
689:
688:
684:
666:
665:
661:
651:
650:
646:
636:
634:
624:
623:
619:
609:
608:
604:
594:
592:
587:
586:
582:
564:
563:
548:
541:
522:
521:
514:
504:
503:
499:
494:
416:Santiago, Chile
401:
380:Delta Theta Phi
370:
316:
250:
195:
183:
151:
127:
69:
54:and grew up in
50:He was born in
48:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1015:
1013:
1005:
1004:
999:
994:
989:
984:
979:
969:
968:
965:
964:
959:
952:
951:External links
949:
946:
945:
923:
914:|journal=
891:
879:New York Times
865:
838:
812:
783:
776:
752:
745:
727:
724:. p. 171.
712:
697:
682:
659:
644:
617:
602:
580:
546:
539:
512:
496:
495:
493:
490:
489:
488:
481:
478:
472:
465:
457:
449:
443:
429:
419:
408:
400:
397:
396:
395:
389:
386:
383:
382:Law Fraternity
377:
374:
369:
366:
365:
364:
361:
358:
355:
352:
349:
343:
337:
332:
329:
326:
323:
320:
315:
312:
249:
246:
194:
191:
182:
179:
159:Houston, Texas
150:
147:
131:Terrell, Texas
126:
123:
68:
65:
47:
44:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1014:
1003:
1000:
998:
995:
993:
990:
988:
985:
983:
980:
978:
975:
974:
972:
963:
960:
958:
955:
954:
950:
941:
937:
933:
927:
924:
919:
906:
895:
892:
880:
876:
869:
866:
853:
849:
842:
839:
826:
822:
816:
813:
800:
796:
790:
788:
784:
779:
777:0-7432-4586-5
773:
769:
765:
764:
756:
753:
748:
746:1-888962-11-9
742:
738:
731:
728:
723:
716:
713:
708:
701:
698:
693:
686:
683:
678:
673:
672:
663:
660:
656:. p. 31.
655:
648:
645:
632:
628:
621:
618:
613:
606:
603:
591:
584:
581:
576:
571:
570:
561:
559:
557:
555:
553:
551:
547:
542:
540:0-688-03586-8
536:
532:
528:
527:
519:
517:
513:
508:
501:
498:
491:
486:
482:
479:
477:
473:
470:
466:
462:
458:
455:
454:
453:Travel Digest
450:
448:
447:Denton Cooley
444:
442:
438:
437:David Sarnoff
434:
430:
427:
423:
420:
417:
413:
409:
407:
403:
402:
398:
393:
390:
387:
384:
381:
378:
375:
372:
371:
367:
362:
359:
356:
353:
350:
347:
344:
341:
338:
336:
333:
330:
327:
324:
321:
318:
317:
313:
311:
309:
305:
301:
297:
293:
289:
284:
281:
277:
271:
267:
264:
259:
255:
247:
245:
243:
239:
238:Najeeb Halaby
235:
229:
225:
222:
217:
215:
211:
207:
202:
200:
192:
190:
188:
180:
178:
176:
172:
168:
164:
160:
156:
148:
146:
142:
139:
134:
132:
124:
122:
120:
115:
113:
109:
105:
101:
97:
93:
89:
85:
80:
78:
74:
66:
64:
61:
57:
53:
45:
43:
41:
40:Dallas, Texas
37:
33:
29:
21:
935:
926:
905:cite journal
894:
882:. Retrieved
878:
868:
856:. Retrieved
851:
841:
829:. Retrieved
824:
815:
803:. Retrieved
798:
762:
755:
736:
730:
721:
715:
706:
700:
691:
685:
670:
662:
653:
647:
635:. Retrieved
630:
620:
611:
605:
593:. Retrieved
583:
568:
525:
506:
500:
451:
346:Norton Simon
285:
272:
268:
251:
230:
226:
218:
206:Troy V. Post
203:
196:
184:
152:
143:
138:Link Trainer
135:
128:
116:
108:Bryan, Texas
81:
70:
49:
27:
26:
982:2002 deaths
977:1920 births
102:, and with
46:Early years
971:Categories
675:. p.
573:. p.
507:D Magazine
492:References
464:hemisphere
392:Wings Club
221:Boeing 727
187:Robert Six
854:. upi.com
633:. upi.com
283:ovation.
694:: 53–56.
509:: 26–29.
471:, Oregon
288:Mustique
280:Ed Acker
258:Ed Acker
52:Oklahoma
992:Braniff
884:24 June
858:24 June
768:282–291
692:Fortune
637:27 June
614:. 1950.
96:Toronto
831:2 July
825:NewsOK
805:2 July
774:
743:
595:25 May
537:
487:, 1965
406:Panama
399:Honors
348:, Inc.
342:, Inc.
308:Geneva
254:Pan Am
155:Essair
100:Canada
918:help
886:2013
860:2013
833:2013
807:2013
772:ISBN
741:ISBN
639:2013
597:2018
535:ISBN
439:and
426:Peru
104:LAAF
92:RAAF
38:, a
175:LLB
973::
938:.
934:.
909::
907:}}
903:{{
877:.
850:.
823:.
797:.
786:^
770:.
677:23
629:.
575:46
549:^
533:.
531:50
515:^
424:,
290:,
244:.
114:.
98:,
942:.
920:)
916:(
888:.
862:.
835:.
809:.
780:.
749:.
679:.
641:.
599:.
577:.
543:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
