Howard Hughes

Overview

Howard Robard Hughes Jr. was a multifaceted American figure who embodied ambition, innovation, and eccentricity. Born into wealth, he inherited his father's tool company at a young age, which he quickly leveraged to pursue his passions for filmmaking and aviation. He was a record-breaking pilot, a celebrated movie producer, and a brilliant, albeit increasingly reclusive, businessman. Hughes' life was marked by both extraordinary achievements and increasingly bizarre behavior, leaving behind a legacy as complex and compelling as the man himself.

Main Milestones

Birth in Humble, Texas

December 24, 1905

Howard Robard Hughes Jr. was born in Humble, Texas, to Howard Robard Hughes Sr., an inventor and businessman who patented a revolutionary oil drill bit, and Allene Gano Hughes. His early life was marked by privilege, though also by isolation due to his mother's overprotectiveness. He demonstrated an early aptitude for engineering and mechanics, even building his own radio transmitter at age 12, foreshadowing his future as an innovator.

Orphaned and Independent

1924-1925

Hughes experienced immense personal loss with the death of his mother in 1922 and his father in 1924. This left the 19-year-old Hughes an orphan but also the sole heir to his father's lucrative Hughes Tool Company. Demonstrating his business acumen and independent spirit, he successfully petitioned the court to declare him an adult, allowing him to take control of the company and his inheritance.

Hollywood Mogul and Aviator

Late 1920s - 1930s

Hughes channeled his wealth and ambition into Hollywood and aviation. He produced and directed several high-budget films, including "Hell's Angels" (1930), a groundbreaking aerial war film that became a box office success, solidifying his reputation as a risk-taker. Simultaneously, he pursued his passion for aviation, learning to fly and setting numerous speed records, establishing himself as a daring and innovative pilot.

Around-the-World Flight Record

1938

Hughes, along with a crew of four, piloted a Lockheed 14 Super Electra around the world in a record-breaking 91 hours, 14 minutes, and 10 seconds. This feat garnered him international fame and cemented his status as a pioneering aviator. The flight demonstrated his meticulous planning, exceptional piloting skills, and the advanced capabilities of his aircraft.

Wartime Contracts and the Hercules H-4 'Spruce Goose'

1940s

During World War II, Hughes secured government contracts to develop aircraft, including the ill-fated Hughes H-4 Hercules, nicknamed the 'Spruce Goose.' This massive wooden flying boat was intended to transport troops across the Atlantic, but its development was plagued by delays and cost overruns. The project became a symbol of government waste and Hughes's extravagant spending. The 'Spruce Goose' made only one brief flight in 1947 before being permanently grounded.

Acquisition of RKO Pictures

1948

Hughes acquired RKO Pictures, a major Hollywood studio, marking his full immersion into the film industry. His tenure at RKO was chaotic and controversial. He interfered heavily in production, often re-editing films and clashing with actors and directors. His erratic behavior and financial mismanagement led to the studio's decline and eventual sale in 1955.

Increasing Seclusion and Mental Deterioration

1950s - 1970s

Hughes's behavior became increasingly erratic and reclusive during this period. He developed severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and a dependency on painkillers. He retreated from public life, living in darkened hotel rooms and surrounded by a select group of aides who catered to his increasingly bizarre demands. He remained a powerful figure behind the scenes, managing his vast business empire through intermediaries.

Death Aboard an Airplane

April 5, 1976

Howard Hughes died on April 5, 1976, aboard an airplane en route from Acapulco, Mexico, to Houston, Texas. He was 70 years old. His body was severely emaciated and riddled with health problems resulting from years of neglect, drug abuse, and isolation. His death sparked a legal battle over his vast estate, revealing the extent of his wealth and the complexity of his legacy.