The Howard Hughes Public Relations Photograph Collection depicts the activities of businessman Howard Hughes from 1930 to 1950. The photographs primarily depict aircraft flown by Hughes or designed by the Hughes Aircraft Company, including the XF-11 reconnaissance plane, the HK-1 Hercules (or "Spruce Goose"), and the Hughes H-1 Racer. The photographs also depict celebrations following Hughes's circumnavigation flight in New York City, New York and Chicago, Illinois in 1938. Lastly, the photographs include Hughes testifying in front of the Senate Special Committee to Investigate the National Defense Program in 1947.
Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Gen. view parade: As globe fliers braved Broadway blizzard, New York. Although they didn't encounter a single snowflake on their roaring dash across Siberia, Howard Hughes and his four-man crew met a regular blizzard (of Broadway ticker tape) today as New York paid them homage as only New York know how. This is a view of the scene as the triumphal procession proceeded from the Battery to City Call. In the car are (left to right) Grover Whalen, President of the New York World's Fair, Howard Hughes and Al Lodwick, his press representative. (w) 7-15-38.30."
The black and white view of motorcycle police awaiting the arrival of Howard Hughes at Floyd Bennett Field in New York. Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Motorcycle police on hand for Hughes' landing, New York city -- Motorcycle policemen lined up on Floyd Bennett Field, July 14th, to help keep in check the crowd of 30,000 persons that gathered to greet Howard Hughes and his heroic crew as they landed their giant Lockheed plain after their record-smashing flight around the world. Credit Line (ACME). 7/14/38."
The black and white view of Howard Hughes and his crew being surrounded by crowds as they exit the Lockheed 14 aircraft after finishing the Around the World flight at Floyd Bennett Airfield in New York. Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Telling the world about Hughes' record flight. New York City-- Radio men setting up their microphones in front of the crew of Howard Hughes great Lockheed plane so that Hughes and his heroic crew could send a few words of greeting to the world over the air waves after their record smashing flight around the world. Credit Line (ACME) 7/14/38 (SS)"
The black and white view of Howard Hughes, surrounded by crowds, after landing his Lockheed 14 aircraft for the Around the World flight at Floyd Bennett Airfield in New York. Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Howard Hughes at Floyd Bennett Field after his round the world flight, 7-14-38. (Press Association)"