During the 1920s Imperial Airways (one of the forerunners of British Overseas
Airways Corporation, which was formed in 1939) were developing. Initially,
their catering service consisted of only sandwiches with tea or coffee (O’Hara
and Strugnell, 1997). The service was provided by fourteen-year-old cabin
boys in monkey jackets and tight trousers who travelled the route, and who
were fined if they became over 100 lbs. (40 kg.) in weight (Wright, 1985). At
this time, flight safety was not strongly considered inside the plane—aircraft
seats were often wicker chairs, so selected because they were lightweight.