The aviation, aerospace and defense industries series contains reference files of newspaper clippings dating from 1946-1976.. The primary focus is on the Hughes Aircraft Company, in terms of the development of aviation, radar, avionics, missiles, space and communications, innovations, and the expansion of company operations. There are also a number of files that relate to the Hughes Tool Company and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the general development of civilian and military aviation, aerospace, weapons systems, and defense issues.

This series dates from 1946-1976 and contains correspondence, memos, newsletters, expenses, distribution lists, directories, and press releases generated by Dick Hannah and the staff of Carl Byoir & Associates, a public relations firm hired by Howard Hughes to oversee public relations for himself and his companies.

Rosemont Enterprises, Inc. was incorporated in 1965 by Chester C. Davis a lawyer for Howard Hughes, with the goal of protecting Hughes’ privacy and promoting a positive image to the public through approved projects and lauding his many achievements. The series dates from 1964-1973 and contains correspondence on screenplays and proposed projects as well as administrative records.

The series on Howard Hughes’ personal life dates from 1941-1987 and is primarily composed of reference files of newspaper clippings that document Howard Hughes’ life as an aviation leader, studio owner, philanthropist, and Las Vegas developer. His moves to Managua, Nicaragua, Vancouver, British Columbia, London, England, the Bahamas, and Acapulco, Mexico near the end of his life are also well documented as are his ex-wives, death, and the legal fight for his estate. The series also includes transcripts of radio and television interviews, magazine articles, and books about Hughes. There are also a number of biographies on Hughes, press releases, and correspondence between between Carl Byoir & Associates staff and individuals or organizations.

The people associated with Howard Hughes series dates from 1947-1976 and is composed entirely of reference files of newspaper clippings that document Hughes employees, business associates, competitors, and relatives, as well as politicians and government officials that were of interest to Hughes.

The photographs and audiovisual material series dates from 1934-1997 and is primarily composed of photographs, slides, and negatives. It also contains two unlabeled magnetic audio tape reels and one unlabeled short color film reel.

Many images in the series feature Howard Hughes along with the planes he used to set speed and endurance records. The series also contains images of the Hughes Flying Boat (H-4), XF-11, Hughes blimp, and other non-aviation operations. Also documented are several Hughes production plants and offices and RKO promotional images of motion picture scenes and movie stars. There are a smaller number of large photographs featuring Hughes properties and executives meeting in Las Vegas, circa 1969.