What happened to the B737.X design that depicted a downward nose much like the B787? It is not apparent in the B737 Max 8.
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$\begingroup$ The answer is on the Wikipedia page for B737.X ... hmmm do I downvote for no research effort? Not sure how that works on this particular SE site. $\endgroup$– Lightness Races in OrbitCommented Jan 2, 2016 at 1:30
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Boeing was considering designing an all-new airplane to replace the 737 around 2020. Having been in production for over 40 years and through 3 major versions, it seemed like it was finally time to leave the 737 type behind.
However, Airbus decided to upgrade the main competition to the 737 to create the A320neo. The A320neo is more efficient than the 737NG and will be entering service in 2016. Boeing watched orders accumulate for the A320neo and felt that they would lose too much market share in the single aisle market if they waited until 2020 to introduce a new plane to compete with the A320neo.
The high number of orders for the A320neo convinced Boeing to scrap the new plane concept, and focus on just new engines for the 737, in order to get a plane on the market to compete with the A320neo. This allowed the 737MAX to be scheduled to enter service in 2017, less than 2 years after the A320neo. While the MAX does not have as many improvements as a new design would have, it has helped narrow the gap in orders to the A320 series. A new plane still 5 or 6 years away while the A320neo enters service would not have nearly as many orders, meaning the Airbus would be quickly increasing their market share with the A320neo.
A similar situation has happened with the 777, although it is still a much more recent design. The 777X is a more significant redesign than the 737MAX, but the update is needed to compete with the new A350 that is already in service.
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1$\begingroup$ "The A320neo [...] will be entering service next year." I think you mean this year, right? (As of today.) $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 1, 2016 at 19:45
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6$\begingroup$ @DavidRicherby Now that you mention it, it probably would be a good thing to not use relative terms like "next year" in answers in general. These are supposed to stay around in the web for several years, after all. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 1, 2016 at 20:32