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Howard Hughes (left, in dark coat) noted designer, builder, and industrialist entering the hull of the Hughes Flying Boat, the largest airplane in the world, as it was nearing completion on Terminal Island in the Los Angeles Harbor. With him is Joe Petralli, assistant director of service and flight.

Transcribed from stamp on back of photo: "June 16, 1946; Hughes Aircraft Photo." Crowds and policeman watching as a section of Howard Hughes' "Spruce Goose" or "Flying Boat" was being moved (with a police escort) from the Hughes Aircraft plant in Culver City, California to Terminal Island in the Los Angeles Harbor where the plane was assembled June 1946. The men are raising the power lines so the fuselage can pass under.

Transcribed from attached press release: "HUGHES ROCK BIT TEST In a block-long laboratory at Houston, Texas, the Hughes Tool Company can simulate oil drilling conditions anywhere in the world. Here a Hughes bit is tested on a hard formation. Howard Hughes' father invented the rock bit in 1908 and the resulting business became the cornerstone on which Howard Hughes built his fabulous industrial empire in motion pictures, air transportation, aeronautical research and design, aircraft manufacture, electronics, armament and brewing."

Transcribed from attached press release: "DRILLING LABORATORY The fundamental purpose of all Hughes rock bit research is to improve bit performance. In attaining this improvement it is necessary to balance design with the application of correct metallurgical materials and manufacturing methods. The preliminary proving ground is the Drilling laboratory housed in the main Laboratory building. Its field-size drilling rig, with 118 ft. derrick, was especially designed to test rock bits in a manner simulating oilfield drilling conditions."

Description printed on accompanying sheet of paper: "Hughes sets record for Atlantic crossing. Paris-- When Howard Hughes, millionaire sportsman, brought his plane to a perfect landing at Le Bourget, he established a record for spanning the Atlantic. After making minor repairs, he left for Russia on the second lap of his world girdling flight. Photo shows Hughes, in center (grey suit), surrounded by welcomes after he left his plane."

The black and white view of Howard Hughes in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Description written on back of photograph: "July 14, 1938: Tired and bearded, Howard Hughes was surrounded as he left his plane at the municipal airport (World-Chamberlain Field) to secure weather information before leaving Minneapolis to complete his record-breaking around-the-world flight-- the fastest flight ever made in circumnavigating the globe. Photo-courtesy "The Minneapolis Star" Board of Park Commissions 325 City Hall Minneapolis, Minn."

Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Howard Hughes and his crew of globe girdlers (L-to-R) Thomas Thurlow, Ed Lund, Albert Lodwick, Hughes, Harry Connor and Dick Stoddart. 8-1-38. (Press Association)." Howard Hughes is standing third from right.