SeeCalifornia.com

During his 70 years on Earth, Howard Hughes (December 24, 1905 – April 5, 1976) was one of the most financially successful individuals in the world. In California you can see remembrances of the film director, record-setting pilot, engineer, business magnate and investor who left his mark on movie industry, aerospace and many other significant industries shaping and transforming the Golden State.

From his 1955 Packard Caribbean Convertible (complete with pink stripe) that he gave to his wife, Actress Jean Peters, on display at Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo to the Promenade at Howard Hughes (HHLA) in Los Angeles, you can see homes, buildings and objects that bore his name or were once owned by him.

Better yet, why not delve into the REAL Howard Hughes by watching some of his movie productions?

A new book by Jeffrey Richardson called “HOWARD HUGHES & The Creation of Modern Hollywood,” takes a look at “the most important movie producer in the Golden Age of Hollywood.”

The author documents how Hughes left Houston wanting to become the most famous movie producer in Los Angeles. Quite a feat, considering he liked watching movies but didn’t know much about the film industry, which was tightly-controlled by 8 corporations.

He did, however, become the owner of Hughes Tool Company, which his father created. That successful business which revolutionized oil exploration with its drill bits & tools provided nearly unimaginable wealth for young Howard after his father died when Howard, Jr. was still a teenager.

A book review by Craig MacDonald explores Howard Hughes and the creation of modern Hollywood — documenting how he was able to revolutionize the motion picture industry.