Even Howard Hughes origins are uncertain, but he claims to have been born in Houston, Texas on Christmas eve, 1995, to Howard Hughes Sr. and Allene Gano. His father invented the two – cone roller bit, which allowed rotary oil drilling in places that were formerly inaccessible. Hughes Sr. owned the highly – profitable Hughes Tool Company.

Like his father, Howard showed noteworthy aptitude in engineering. At age 11, he built Houston’s first radio transmitter. A year later, using parts taken from his father’s tool shop, Howard built Houston’s first “motorized bicycle.” In school, he was an indifferent student, yet he shone in mathematics, mechanics and aviation. He took his first flying lesson at 14. Later, he audited math and aeronautical engineering courses at the California Institute of Technology.

In March 1922, Howard’s mother Allene died from complications of an abnormal pregnancy. His father died of heart attack in 1924, when Howard was 19. Howard inherited a large part of his father’s fortune. Finding himself instantly rich, Howard dropped out of college and moved to Los Angeles, where he hoped to make a name for himself making movies.