Howard Hughes was an American AVIATOR, businessman, investor, film producer, and philanthropist. He is best known for his aviation record-breaking feats and his eccentric lifestyle. He was also a successful entrepreneur, having founded the Hughes Aircraft Company in 1932. He was an accomplished AVIATOR, setting multiple world records, including the fastest transcontinental flight and the first around-the-world flight in a single-engine plane. He also made significant contributions to the development of the modern airplane.