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.