The Caravelle was the first short/medium range jet airliner.
First flight was May 27, 1955.
The Caravelle would go on to be one of the most successful first generation jet airliners
and established the aft-mounted-engine, clean-wing design that has
since been used on a wide variety of subsequent aircraft.

This example is from United Airlines, in Airborne Express livery.

For more images of the Caravelle, please visit http://www.pbase.com/wvphoto/new_england_air_museum