. . .  of Snecma, France and GE Aviation, U.S.A. It was formed 35 years ago in 1974 to develop  a “ten tonne” turbofan engine that didn’t have a specific application at the time, but seemed to be an attractive follow-on for JT3D and JT9D powerplants in the 20,000 lb thrust class. General Electric's F101 engine, which was developed for the B-1B Lancer strategic bomber was used as a basis for the high pressure compressor, combustor and high pressure turbine, Snecma was responsible for the fan, low pressure turbine, the gearbox and the exhaust systems.

After some eight years of development spent on the project without a single order for it, the CFMI enterprise was just weeks way from being dropped when the DC-8 Super Seventies came along.

The CFM56-2, at between 22,000 lbs and 24,000 lbs static thrust was the first of the series and used on the DC-8 retrofit program.  Eventually, more powerful versions were developed with the CFM56-5C rated at as much as 34,000 lbs (used on the Airbus A340-200).

A clipped fan version of the engine was adopted for Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 airframes.  USAF re-engined KC-135s using the CFM engine.

In February 19, 2008 CFMI announced that it had would deliver the 19,000th CFM56 engine that year, making the “ten tonne” engine market exceed the most optimistic projections 35 years ago.

         .  .  .  And the DC-8 started it all.