Basic Information
| Name | Howard Robard Hughes Sr. |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | 1869-09-09 |
| Birth Place | Lancaster, Missouri |
| Education | Missouri Military Academy; Harvard University; University of Iowa |
| Occupation | Inventor and entrepreneur |
| Notable Invention | Dual-cone rotary drill bit |
| Company Founded | Hughes Tool Company |
| Patents Awarded | 70 |
| Death Date | 1924-01-14 |
| Death Place | Houston, Texas |
| Burial Place | Glenwood Cemetery |
Early Life and Education
Howard Robard Hughes Sr. was born September 9, 1869, in Lancaster, Missouri. He attended Missouri Military Academy, enrolled at Harvard University in 1893 (left in 1894), and studied law at the University of Iowa before turning to engineering.
Inventive Achievements and Hughes Tool Company
- 1908: Partnered with Walter Sharp to develop the rotary drill bit.
- August 1909: Secured U.S. Patent No. 930,874 for the Sharp–Hughes dual‑cone rotary drill bit.
- 1915: Co‑founded Sharp‑Hughes Tool Co., later renamed Hughes Tool Company.
- He amassed roughly 70 patents in drilling technology, enabling deep oil extraction across Texas fields.
Family Members
| Name | Born – Died | Relation | Role & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Amelia Summerlin Hughes | 1842 – 1928 | Mother | Inherited 25% stake in Hughes Tool Company |
| Felix Turner Hughes | 1837 – 1926 | Father | Shared inheritance; oversaw company legacy |
| Greta “Jeanne Greta” Hughes | 1870s – ? | Sister | Opera singer |
| Rupert Hughes | 1872 – 1956 | Brother | Novelist, screenwriter, film director |
| Howard R. Hughes Jr. | 1905 – 1976 | Son | Took control of Hughes Tool at age 19; later founded Hughes Aircraft |
Corporate Legacy
- Hughes Tool Company: Founded 1908; merged with Baker International in 1987 to form Baker Hughes.
- Hughes Aircraft Company: Established 1932; became major defense contractor; spun off to HHMI in 1985.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute: Inherited Hughes Aircraft stock; endowment grew to ~$17 billion.
- Howard Hughes Holdings Inc.: Public real estate firm with $9.2 billion in assets (2024).
Net Worth Snapshot
| Family Member | Approximate Net Worth |
|---|---|
| Howard R. Hughes Sr. | Substantial private fortune |
| Jean & Felix Hughes | Combined stake ~25% of company |
| Howard R. Hughes Jr. | $2.5 billion at death (~$11 billion today) |
| Rupert Hughes | Private (earned from literary and film work) |
FAQ
What invention made Howard R. Hughes Sr. famous?
He co‑invented the dual‑cone rotary drill bit in 1908, revolutionizing deep oil drilling.
When did Hughes Sr. found his tool company?
He and Walter Sharp launched Sharp‑Hughes Tool Co. in 1908 and renamed it Hughes Tool Company in 1915.
Who inherited Hughes Tool after his death?
His son, Howard R. Hughes Jr., received 75% of the company at age 19, while his parents held the remaining 25%.
How did Hughes Sr. impact the oil industry?
His patented drill bit enabled consistent rotary drilling, unlocking vast Texas oil reserves.
When and how did Howard R. Hughes Sr. die?
He suffered a fatal heart attack on January 14, 1924, in Houston at age 54.
What is the enduring legacy of Hughes Sr.?
His innovations underpin modern rotary drilling and seeded the corporate lineage of Baker Hughes and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
References
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_R._Hughes_Sr. | Howard R. Hughes Sr. biographical details on Wikipedia |
| https://petroleumservicecompany.com/blog/howard-hughes-oil-revolutionary/?srsltid=AfmBOorjn0V0U96Ta5KqU7q4whEyX1fnzGSEuBji9JYSqqnJIsZEzLGv | Overview of how Howard Hughes revolutionized oil well drilling |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hughes_Tool_Company | History of the Hughes Tool Company on Wikipedia |
| https://petroleummuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Hughes-Sr.-Howard-final.pdf | Petroleum Museum PDF on Howard R. Hughes Sr. |
| https://www.chron.com/local/history/innovators-inventions/article/Howard-Hughes-Sr-changed-the-oil-industry-and-7958019.php | Houston Chronicle article on Hughes Sr.’s impact on the oil industry |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert_Hughes | Rupert Hughes biography on Wikipedia |
| https://www.thoughtco.com/howard-hughes-1779896 | ThoughtCo biography of Howard Hughes Jr. |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Hughes | Howard Hughes Jr. Wikipedia page |
| https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-businessmen/richest-billionaires/howard-hughes-net-worth/ | Celebrity Net Worth profile of Howard Hughes Jr. |
| https://mabumbe.com/people/howard-hughes-age-net-worth-family-and-career-highlights/ | Mabumbe overview of Howard Hughes Jr.’s age, net worth, and career |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Hughes_Holdings | Wikipedia page for Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. |
| https://time.com/3754596/howard-hughes-and-his-larger-than-life-dream-machine-the-spruce-goose/ | Time article on the Spruce Goose and Howard Hughes legacy |
| https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/hughes-howard-robard-sr | Texas State Historical Association entry for Howard R. Hughes Sr. |
| https://www.britannica.com/money/Howard-Hughes | Britannica Money profile of Howard Hughes Jr. |
