Howard Hughes

by Bodog Casino | Jul 20 2010

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There are many categories to put Howard Hughes in: aviator, engineer, industrialist, film producer, film director, philanthropist... casino builder?

That’s right among his many contributions to the progression of American industry Hughes was a key component to the growth of Las Vegas, Nevada’s casino scene. However, that’s how he lived his later life.

Born in 1905, Hughes was building things as early as age 12. He appeared in the local newspaper as the first boy in his hometown Houston to have a motorized bike which he built himself.

By 1927 Hughes was making money and making movies. He dropped well known films like Two Arabian Knights and later Scarface (the original, not the Al Pacino version).

Although he became a Hollywood star because of his talent at producing and directing, his first love was aviation and engineering. He created popular crafts such as the Hughes H-1 Racer, using it to set numerous records. He also had a hand in creating the Boeing 307 Stratoliner and the world’s largest flying boat the H-4 Hercules (aka the Spruce Goose).

Unfortunately, in the Las Vegas portion of his life Hughes’ was not completely right in the head. He moved to Vegas in 1966, posting up in the Desert Inn and essentially became a recluse. He bought the Desert Inn from its original owner because he refused to leave and followed up by buying other hotels/casinos such as the Castaways, New Frontier, The Landmark Hotel, and the Sands.

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Before Hughes arrived in Vegas it was somewhat seen as a gambling-only destination that harbored many mob bosses. But Hughes thought of Vegas “in terms of a well-dressed man in a dinner jacket and a beautifully jeweled and furred female getting out of an expensive car,” and did his best to create that atmosphere in the casinos he purchased.

It's tough to say how directly Hughes affected the Las Vegas lifestyle we see today, but considering he spent a total of $300 million on his many properties in Sin City we’d like to think it’s significant.