We Know Why Howard Hughes Lost His Mind

Once known as one of the richest and most influential men of his era, Howard Hughes's luxurious life came to a sad and tragic end.

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Narrated by: James

[romonaelrod]

My grandparents and my dad worked for Hughes aircraft. My grandfather invented tools that were needed that didn't already exist. He was a tool and die maker/ machinist. He was self taught. When he retired Hughes had to hire him back for awhile because the college educated engineers couldn't figure out how to do the job. My grandpa's name appears on the patent paperwork for the tools that he invented. My grandmother did some of the wiring for the early NASA projects.

[leovolont]

In 1986 I took a job at Hughes Aircraft Company in Tucson Arizona, and the old guys there told me that every Christmas back in the old days, Howard Hughes would send a rail road train out to the tracks that cut through the Factory Area, and there they would unload free turkeys for all of the employees, so that they could all have sumptuous Christmas dinners. After Hughes died the new owners allowed that tradition to lapse. So, yeah, Howard Hughes had his problems, but where he was good, he was great. Thumbs up- for the good in him.

[abqmalenurse]

Even though you show videos of it, no biography of Hughes is complete without mentioning the Spruce Goose.
My mother met Hughes. For a time he lived in San Antonio, early 1950's. My mother was a cashier at the Piggly Wiggly on San Pedro Ave. He would come in and have his staff load multiple carts full of groceries. He would only let my mother ring up the purchases because she was the fastest cashier (and a good looking blonde). The groceries all went to a nearby orphanage.

[RobertBird]

Well done video, particularly the early biography information. However, you didn't mention the one key incident that led to Howard Hughes's physical and mental decline -- his near fatal plane crash in 1946. According to doctors, it was a miracle he survived, suffering numerous broken bones, a broken neck and severe burns all over his body. This is key to understanding his strange behavior he became known for. As a direct result of the accident, he became addicted to pain killers for the rest of his life. Side note: One of the best books I've read about Howard Hughes is "The Investigation" by Gary Magnesen about the famous "Mormon will" mentioned in this video.

[crimony]

Hughes was also a pioneer in chronic pain management. He was nearly killed in a 1946 plane crash, and spent the rest of his life battling pain from it.

[philipmilner]

Howard Hughes, had many plane crashes and head injuries, this no doubt this contributed to his 'strange behaviour...'

[jimbojazza]

I had no inkling that Hughes and the Wright brothers were cousins - so gave a like on that alone.

[hodgheg]

You don't mention how he inherited so much in the first place. His father invented the rock crushing drill bit used for oil drilling and patented it, then refused to sell any, instead leasing them out for a fortune and retaining full control. As he put it "This does not give me a monopoly of the oil drilling business, people can always use a pick and shovel."

[Mr_Nunez]

Incredible to read the comments and see people stories that were only 1 or 2 degrees of separation from Hughes!

[Falkenroth]

And this video only scratched the surface of his life.

[glynisforbes-bloomfield]

While he was in hospital after the plane crash he found the hospital bed so uncomfortable that he set about redesigning it, and the hospital beds we have today is the result? He was also very hard of hearing (something else we have in common ) I find him fascinating so thank you for sharing your video. 🙏🏻🇬🇧

[jonathanlister]

Thank you for this, a clear account of a man's life no hint of sensationalism.

[ericmartin]

I bought a micrometer on eBay, in the bottom of the box was a piece of cardboard, on the back side of the card was the printing of a Hughes Aircraft time card.

[capt.bart.roberts]

When I was doing my psychiatric nurse training. We still had a group of patients who had neurosyphilis. One we called The Sheriff, he had a toy sheriff's badge, and a very realistic cap gun. Lovely guy, he'd been the head window cleaner at Buckingham Palace. Mad as a box of frogs, but a lovely, gentle guy.

[garycombs]

The most amazing thing about Howard Hughes is how much he was able to accomplish in spite of his many phobias, mental illnesses, and having to live in chronic pain.

Most people would have killed themselves.

[RealRoknRollr]

I suffer OCD and anxiety and watching the Aviator I saw exactly my own condition. Particularly the inability to choose and make a decision along with the repeating of lines. Its living hell, it truly is

[patrickryan]

Very clear narration filled with just enough information for one sitting. Thank you!

[JerroldGarrison]

He can be credited for specialized cable television, as well. He had an affinity for old western shows and movies. He would continuously call the television stations and request old westerns to be broadcast. They advised him that if that is what he wanted, then he should buy a network. He DID and looped nothing but old westerns! Fun fact…although not for him, I’m sure.

[lindacarlton]

I'm from Houston. My uncle was his personal pilot. My aunt didn't like him flying Hughes around with all of the starlets. He said he was an odd duck but a good guy.

[tishforever]

I enjoyed the video. I remember reading that one theory about Hughes’ mental status was the many head injuries he had suffered in various plane crashes, hard landings, and other accidents may have caused him to have a form of CTE, the same type of neurodegenerative disease seen to cause altered mental states in athletes. Between that and the syphilis, his brain was definitely under siege.