Elinor Otto, 93, prepares to rivet a wing while working at Boeing in Long Beach. “Don’t get in her way, she’ll run you over,” a co-worker says. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Elinor Otto stepped into a San Diego factory in 1942 and is still working on the assembly line today.
Elinor Otto, 93, in the living room of her home in Long Beach. If she were younger, she jokes, she would look at herself now and wonder, “What’s that old bag still doing here?” (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Elinor Otto makes her way through an area at Boeing where she works as a wing mechanic. Otto is out of bed at 4 a.m. and drives to work early to grab a coffee and a newspaper before a 6 a.m. meeting. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Elinor Otto gets a hug from co-worker Craig Ryba after taking a break. ‘She’s an inspiration,’ Ryba says. ‘She just enjoys working and enjoys life.’ (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
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Elinor Otto, center, walks with co-workers Craig Ryba, left, and Kim Kearns at Boeing in Long Beach. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)