Good Bad Billionaire: Howard Hughes – Eccentric Aviator
Episode Overview Good Bad Billionaire is a BBC World Service podcast that delves into the lives of some of the world's most influential billionaires. In the episode titled "Howard Hughes: Eccentric Aviator," hosts Simon Jack and Zing Singh explore the extraordinary life, business ventures, and complex personality of Howard Hughes, a man whose legacy is as vast and varied as his wealth.
Introduction: The Final Moments of Howard Hughes [00:00 – 02:56]
The episode opens with a vivid and somber depiction of Howard Hughes's final moments:
"He's a billionaire, once the richest man in the USA and maybe even the world. But money can't buy him anything now. These are his final breaths." – Simon Jack [02:56]
This dramatic narrative sets the tone for an in-depth exploration of Hughes's life, highlighting the juxtaposition between his immense wealth and personal struggles.
Early Life and Inheritance [03:08 – 11:54]
Howard Hughes Jr.: Born on December 24, 1905, in Houston, Texas, Howard Hughes was the only child of Aileen and Howard Hughes Sr. His father, an innovator in the oil industry, had struck gold with the invention of a cone-shaped drill bit, leading to significant profits from the Hughes Tool Company.
"By 1910, the Hughes Tool Company was making annual profits of $500,000. Now, adjusted for inflation, that is around $17 billion a year." – Simon Jack [05:26]
From a young age, Hughes exhibited a passion for engineering, building a wireless broadcast at 11 and a motorized bicycle as a teenager. His affluent upbringing allowed him to indulge his interests extensively.
At 19, after his father's death, Hughes secured control of the family fortune by outmaneuvering his relatives, marking the beginning of his journey to becoming a millionaire.
Hollywood and Film Production [14:35 – 33:22]
With a substantial inheritance, Hughes ventured into Hollywood in 1925. His initial foray involved financing films, starting with the poorly received "Swell Hogan," which he ultimately scrapped:
"Hughes didn't even let it become a box office flop. After a series of test audience laughed at how bad it was, he refused to release it and apparently ordered all copies to be destroyed." – Simon Jack [16:41]
Despite early setbacks, Hughes founded his own film company, producing successes like "Swell Hogan" and "Two Arabian Nights," the latter winning an Oscar at the first Academy Awards in 1929. His most ambitious project, "Hell's Angels" (1929), was lauded for its groundbreaking aerial stunts but drained his finances due to its exorbitant production costs.
"Hell's Angels had started out filming in 1927 as a silent movie, but was reshot as a sound movie. The film took three years to make, had cost $2.8 million, at a time when films often shot in a month and budgets rarely topped 400,000." – Simon Jack [18:01]
Hughes's lavish spending extended beyond films to luxury cars, furs, jewelry, and personal indulgences, culminating in significant financial strain by 1930.
Aviation and Hughes Aircraft [24:08 – 33:22]
Hughes's love for aviation led him to purchase a military pursuit plane from Boeing in 1932 and establish the Hughes Aircraft Company as a subsidiary of Hughes Tool Company. He aimed to create the fastest plane in the world, setting multiple speed records with the Hughes H-1 and breaking the transcontinental flight record.
However, his ambitious projects were not without failures. The Spruce Goose, a massive wooden flying boat built during World War II, only flew once in 1947, garnering both notoriety and ridicule:
"He bought his way out of that situation." – Simon Jack [28:10]
Despite setbacks, Hughes Aircraft thrived post-war, becoming a pivotal player in military aviation and electronics, significantly contributing to the U.S. Air Force's capabilities during the Vietnam War.
Personal Life and Relationships [19:08 – 37:35]
Howard Hughes's personal life was tumultuous, marked by a series of high-profile relationships and marriages:
- Ella Rice: Married in 1925, their union ended in a costly divorce in 1929.
- Billy Dove, Jean Harlow, Hedy Lamarr, and others: Hughes was notorious for his manipulative and controlling relationships, often using his wealth to influence and control women.
His treatment of women was particularly egregious, exemplified by his relationships with Faith Domogue and Rene Rossou, where he isolated and stifled their careers.
"He was also notorious for using his money and position to control people." – Simon Jack [22:29]
Business Ventures and Challenges [33:22 – 38:24]
While Hughes's film and aviation ventures had their highs and lows, he continued to expand his empire. By the late 1940s, Hughes Aircraft was a booming enterprise, securing substantial government contracts and playing a crucial role in defense technology.
However, Hughes's erratic behavior and obsessive control began to hamper his businesses:
"Despite his wealth, Hughes positioned himself as if you like the underdog being unfairly targeted by political elites and framed the investigation as a politically motivated attack." – Simon Jack [30:39]
Ultimately, his mismanagement led to conflicts with the U.S. Air Force, forcing him to restructure Hughes Aircraft and establish the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Later Life and Reclusiveness [38:24 – 41:28]
In his later years, Hughes became increasingly reclusive, isolating himself from the public and conducting business remotely. His obsession with cleanliness and health, likely stemming from his germophobia, led to extreme behaviors:
"He often sat naked in the dark. He used layers of tissues to touch doorknobs and demanded his aides pass him items wrapped in tissue and paper towel." – Simon Jack [40:21]
Hughes's reclusiveness extended to his ventures in Las Vegas, where he amassed significant real estate and controlled a substantial portion of the Las Vegas Strip. Despite his business successes, his deteriorating mental health plagued his final years.
Death and Estate [41:38 – 42:21]
Howard Hughes died on April 5, 1976, aboard a private plane en route to a New York hospital, succumbing to kidney failure likely caused by his prolonged use of painkillers. At his death, his estate was valued at approximately $2.5 billion.
The absence of a will led to prolonged legal battles over his fortune, not settling until the year 2000.
Hosts' Evaluation: Good, Bad, or Just Another Billionaire? [42:21 – 46:54]
Simon and Zing conclude the episode by evaluating Hughes on various categories:
- Wealth: "Nine out of ten." – Zing Singh [43:08]
- Controversy: "Nine out of ten." – Simon Jack [43:19]
- Philanthropy (Giving Back):
- Simon: "Three out of ten."
- Zing: "Two out of ten." – Zing Singh [44:05]
- Power and Legacy:
- Simon: "Seven out of ten."
- Zing: "Eight out of ten." – Zing Singh [46:22]
Verdict:
"He’s more than eccentric. ... Possibly, I'm gonna give him a seven." – Simon Jack [46:51]
"I think I would give him an eight out of ten." – Zing Singh [46:54]
Howard Hughes is portrayed as a complex figure who embodies both the ingenuity and the darker aspects of billionaire influence.
Listener Interaction and Closing [47:23 – 49:20]
The episode wraps up with messages from listeners praising the podcast's insightful storytelling and suggestions for future episodes, highlighting the show's global reach and engagement with its audience.
Notable Quotes:
- "Every day, innovators are redefining what's possible." – BBC Announcer [00:00]
- "He’s the world’s most famous eccentric billionaire." – Zing Singh [03:50]
- "He never would ever again." – Simon Jack [11:54]
- "He created the archetype of the eccentric billionaire." – Zing Singh [46:22]
Conclusion
The Howard Hughes: Eccentric Aviator episode offers a comprehensive look into the life of one of America's most enigmatic billionaires. Through meticulous research and engaging narration, Simon and Zing present a balanced portrayal that invites listeners to ponder the complexities of wealth, power, and personal demons. Howard Hughes's story serves as a cautionary tale of how immense fortune and unbridled ambition can shape, and often distort, one's legacy.