Day Tripping: December 24

Flying eccentric

Conflicting claims suggest Howard Hughes was born in September 1905, but an affidavit from years later showed he was born on this day in Texas. As a child, Howard showed an aptitude for engineering and science.

At eleven he built Houston’s first wireless transmitter. At twelve he built the city’s first motorized bicycle from spare parts from an old steam engine. Hughes though had little interest in school and took his first flying lesson at age fourteen.

By 1924, Howard’s parents had both died and he inherited 75% of his father’s fortune from patents for an oil drill. On his 19th birthday, Howard Hughes took full control of the estate.

His intention was to become a professional golfer but never played a tournament. Instead, Howard’s interest in aviation began to overshadow his golfing aspirations. In 1936, he acquired Trans World Airlines and built an empire called the Hughes Corporation.

More businesses followed including RKO Pictures and several Las Vegas hotels and casinos. Howard Hughes became a Nevada powerhouse that turned Las Vegas into a vacation mecca. He also made news courting famous movie stars and his pursuit of aviation records.

“I’m not a paranoid deranged millionaire. Goddamit, I’m a billionaire.”

As a germaphobe from childhood, Hughes became more reclusive as the years went on. Rumors spread as the business mogul disappeared from public view. The stories of Hughes’ increasing paranoia sent him further into seclusion.

The final days of Howard Hughes’ life filled newspapers and television tabloids. A select few knew the real circumstances of his death, but it was listed as kidney failure in 1976.

Still, Hughes left a legacy with the Hughes Medical Insitute which performs biomedical research. As part of its holdings, The institute sold Hughes Aircraft to General Motors in 1985 for $5.2 billion.

Musical Ride

Roger Waters made a deal with his bandmates in 1987 to give up control of the band's name. The deal allowed David Gilmour and Nick Mason to tour as Pink Floyd while Waters received all rights to The Wall. The agreement ended a standoff even though Gilmour and Mason had recorded and released A Momentary Lapse of Reason.

Interesting Notes

The United Kingdom and the United States signed The Treaty of Ghent in 1814, ending the War of 1812, one of the most pointless conflicts in history.

Gone But Not Forgotten

Two of the finest character actors of the 20th century, Charles Durning and Jack Klugman died the same day in 2012. Durning was 89 and Klugman was 90.

Notable Births

1922 — Ava Gardner: “It’s a pity nobody believes in simple lust anymore.”

1974 — Ryan Seacrest: “Failure? Scared to death of it.”

K. Barrett Maria Rattray Maryam Merchant Dr. Mehmet Yildiz Tree Langdon Myriam Ben Salem Phil Truman Chelsea Mandler MAT Terry Mansfield Hollie Petit, Ph.D. Terry Trueman Dr. Preeti Singh John Gruber Bill Abbate James G Brennan ScienceDuuude Marcus Liam Ireland Claire Kelly Noorain Hassan, BMS Amy Pierovich David Acaster Nora Thewriteyard David Perlmutter Joe Luca Holly Kellums Michael Burg, MD Lucy Dan Dave Logan

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