Tom Salter served as chief engineer of Cessna beginning in 1937. He was instrumental in shifting Cessna’s planes from a wooden structure to a much studier aluminum tubing design. These stronger, lighter planes and gliders were used to great effect in the Second World War. After the war, Salter was involved in designing the model 120, 140, 170, 172, 190, and 195. This generation of Cessna aircraft have flown across the globe. The Cessna 172 even became the bestselling airplane of all time, due to its popularity with general aviation enthusiasts and students. In 1959, Salter was honored with an award for his 25 years of service with Cessna. He was immensely proud of the award, saying “It was one of the greatest honors of my life.