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Howard HughesAmerican industrial magnate
Date of Birth: 24.12.1905
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Early Life and Family
- Engineering Prodigy and Aviation Enthusiast
- Inheritance and Control
- Hollywood Stardom and Ambitions
- "Hell's Angels" and Eccentricity
- Personal Life and Loves
- Hughes Aircraft and Wartime Ventures
- Mental Decline and Seclusion
- Disappearance and Travel
- Las Vegas Acquisition and Eccentric Behavior
- Hygiene Obsession and Deterioration
- Death and Legacy
Early Life and Family
Howard Hughes, the iconic American industrialist, was born on December 24, 1905, in Humble, Texas. His father, Howard Hughes Sr., was a successful inventor of oil drilling equipment, amassing a vast fortune. However, Hughes' childhood was marked by a lack of paternal attention and overprotective mothering from his mother, who instilled in him an unhealthy obsession with hygiene.
Engineering Prodigy and Aviation Enthusiast
Despite his secluded upbringing, Hughes exhibited exceptional abilities in physics, mathematics, and engineering. At age 11, he installed the town's first radio tower, constructed a motorcycle at 12, and began flying airplanes at 14. Hughes' technical brilliance likely stemmed from his father's own inventive nature.
Inheritance and Control
After the deaths of his parents in 1922 and 1924, Hughes' uncle, a prominent Hollywood screenwriter, initially controlled his inheritance. However, Hughes swiftly regained control by playing golf with the presiding judge, marrying his daughter, and resolving the legal matters accordingly.
Hollywood Stardom and Ambitions
Hughes' passion for aviation led him to Los Angeles, where he ventured into filmmaking. His early productions, such as "Two Arabian Knights" (1927) and "The Racket" (1928), were critical and commercial successes. However, his true cinematic ambition lay in aviation-themed movies.
"Hell's Angels" and Eccentricity
"Hell's Angels" (1930) became a testament to Hughes' eccentric nature. The film's exorbitant budget and daring aerial sequences, along with three fatalities on set, showcased his relentless drive. Howard himself narrowly escaped death while performing a complex stunt. The movie became a blockbuster, earning Hughes fame and accolades.
Personal Life and Loves
Hughes led a controversial personal life, engaging in numerous affairs with both women and men. His relationships were often characterized by intense flirtations and lavish gifts, but rarely by physical intimacy. Biographers have speculated about his possible impotence.
Hughes Aircraft and Wartime Ventures
In 1932, Hughes founded Hughes Aircraft, a major military contractor that produced aircraft, munitions, and other wartime supplies. However, his ambitious projects, such as a massive amphibious transport aircraft, met with limited success.
Mental Decline and Seclusion
Following World War II, Hughes began exhibiting signs of mental instability, withdrawing from social interactions and fixating on unfinished aircraft models. He suffered nervous breakdowns in 1945 and 1946, but briefly returned to work.
Disappearance and Travel
In the mid-1950s, Hughes disappeared from public view. He married Jean Peters in 1957 and embarked on a secretive odyssey across America. For years, his whereabouts remained unknown, with even his closest associates unaware of his activities.
Las Vegas Acquisition and Eccentric Behavior
Hughes reemerged in Las Vegas in 1966, making a series of baffling purchases. He bought up hotels, land, casinos, a television station, and an airport, effectively gaining control over much of the city. Despite his wealth and influence, he became increasingly isolated, spending most of his time watching television.
Hygiene Obsession and Deterioration
In his later years, Hughes developed an extreme obsession with hygiene. He scrubbed his hands raw, wore multiple layers of handkerchiefs, and demanded frequent linen changes from his staff. His physical appearance declined significantly, and he refused to cut his hair or nails for years.
Death and Legacy
Hughes died in 1976 while being transported to a Houston hospital. His final journey reflected his life's trajectory – traveling at high speeds, far above the mundane. Hughes left an enduring legacy as a visionary industrialist, a cinematic icon, and an enigmatic recluse whose eccentricities and controversies continue to fascinate generations.