http://www.cfm56.com/news/press/cfm02-32.htm

CFM56 engine celebrates 20 years of commercial service.

CFM56 consortium was set up in 1974. There was not one order until March 1979, just 2 weeks before the oficial cancellation of the program, when Delta, United and Flying Tigers chose CFM56 engines to re-engine DC8. The US Air Force then ordered a large batch of CFM56-2 engines for KC135 re-engine program, thus rally saved the program.

CFM56 engines become the most successful engine in the world when Boeing decided to use only CFM56 engines on 2nd and 3rd generation B737 in early 1980's and late 1990's respectively. CFM56 is also the exclusive engine of A340-200/-300, and powers about half of A320 family fleet worldwide.

What happens if CFM56 program was cancelled? I think there would not be high bypass ratio low thrust engines before 1988, when V2500 entered service, and 2nd generation B737 had to be powered by PW JT8D low bypass ratio engine of very backward design, high air and noise pollution.

It is so strange that McDonnell Douglas did not use CFM56 high bypass ratio engines for its MD80 series aircraft, and use PW JT8D of very poor design instead. This lowered the sales of MD80 series because of high pollution and high fuel comsumption. If CFM56 is used on MD80, then there would be higher sales.