The Hughes Electronics Corporation Records (1935-2021) contain the files and publications of the corporate communications department and records donated by Robert K. Roney, a leading engineer at Hughes. These records document the growth of the company in Southern California, from building experimental aircraft for Howard Hughes, to developing and manufacturing radar and guided missile systems for the United States military and NATO forces, to developing and manufacturing communication satellites and space probes for NASA, and becoming the largest manufacturer of communication satellites and provider of satellite TV. The collection contains press releases, executive biographies, executive speeches, annual reports, corporate directories, organizational charts, correspondence files, technical reports and notes, promotional materials, as well as articles and publications detailing the history of the company. The collection also includes audiovisual materials and photographs. The audiovisual series details the history of the company through news footage and documentaries about Howard Hughes, aviation, corporate mergers, interviews with executives and promotional videos.
The Howard Hughes Professional and Aeronautical Photographs contain black-and-white photographs of businessman and entrepreneur Howard Hughes and his companies from 1916 to 1997. The photographs primarily depict Hughes alongside his aircraft, including the XF-11 prototype reconnaissance plane and the HK-1 Hercules, better known as the "Spruce Goose" or "Flying Boat." The photographs also cover the companies owned by Hughes, including Hughes Tool Company, Hughes Aircraft Company, Hughes Electronics Corporation, and RKO Pictures.
Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Howard Hughes and his four companions honored at the National Press Club. Howard Hughes is speaking, with Mayor La Guardia and Secretary of State Cordell Hull at lower right. July 1938."
The Hughes Aircraft Retirees Association (HARA) Records (1940-2018) contain a variety of publications, organizational charts and technical reports, audiovisual materials, and photographs related to Hughes Aircraft Company and Hughes Electronics. These materials were gathered by members of the Hughes Aircraft Retirees Association, a social organization for retirees of Hughes Aircraft Company including Boeing, Raytheon, and Kinecta.
The black and white view of Howard Hughes (waving) seated in an automobile that was used in a parade dedicated to Hughes' completion of his Round the World flight in New York City, New York.
From the David Rea Collection of Howard Hughes Publicity Photographs (PH-00400). This collection is comprised of publicity photographs of Howard Hughes and his aircrafts, from approximately the 1940s to the 1950s, that were compiled by David Rea, former pilot for Hughes Aircraft Company. This collection also includes clippings and technical drawings of Hughes aircrafts. Note: Newspaper clippings were not digitized, but are available in the reading room. All digital objects from this collection are part of a photographic album.