According to Boeing's website, the first order for a 737 was placed on 2/15/1965. The first delivery was to Lufthansa on 12/28/1967 and it went into service on 2/10/1968. The 737-100 was manufactured until July 1973, when the last one was delivered to NASA.
Today Boeing is still manufacturing 4 different 737 models, including the 600, 700, 800 and 900, with rollout underway of the 900ER. Since launch, more than 6,000 B737 have been ordered, which to me is just simply astounding.
Even more astounding is the number of people and airlines salivating over the much anticipated (and unfortunately much delayed) B787 Dreamliner. Orders have been placed for more than 840 B787s from all over the world. To date, Boeing has only produced 6, all test aircraft. Unfortunately, the first delivery of a B787 has been pushed to mid Q1 2011, due to a combination of supplier issues and engine availability. Hopefully for Boeing, by the time they get this baby in production, they can have their supplier issues ironed out, though realistically, given how they have structured their dependence on suppliers as part of the 787 program, it's likely we'll see sporadic supplier issues ongoing.
Despite all the delays, the added efficiencies and comfort promised in the B787 are still eagerly awaited. Things like LED lighting, large tint-adjustable passenger windows, large overhead bins, and better cabin pressurization with cabin air that is cleaner and humidified are all things that will hopefully make the air passenger experience a little more enjoyable for those who get the pleasure of a flight aboard one.
And, on top of all that, it's just a pretty airplane.
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