The Advertising and Illustrative Photographers Association (AIPA) of New Zealand - Professional Photography for Commercial Applications. Larger Than Life: Howard Hughes and the Spruce Goose. Industrialist, record-setting aviator, movie mogul, recluse — Howard Hughes was one of the most accomplished and mysterious figures America has ever produced … and, in the end, one of the most pitiable.
An almost preposterously wealthy and dashing figure of the 1930s, Hughes was an engineering prodigy who, even as a young boy growing up in Texas, pushed the proverbial envelope. In 1916, when he was 11, he built the first radio transmitter ever used in Houston. He was forever tinkering with engines and electrical devices, re-designing and making them more efficient, more powerful, more useful, better.
By the time he was in his early 20s, he had discovered another lucrative talent, and was living the high life in Los Angeles, producing movies. And in everything he did, whether backing films or flying and engineering fast (and faster, and faster) planes, Hughes was a hands-on kind of guy. Despite its enormous size, the Hercules was meant to be flown with a crew of only three people. LIFE Photos | Classic Pictures From LIFE Magazine's Archives | LIFE.com.