Howard Robard Hughes Sr. (September 9, 1869 – January 14, 1924) was an American businessman and inventor. He was the founder of Hughes Tool Company. He invented the “Sharp–Hughes” rotary tri-cone rock drill bit during the Texas Oil Boom. He is best known as the father and namesake of Howard Hughes, the famous American business tycoon

Hughes Legacy

Howard R. Hughes Sr. passed away on January 24, 1924 of a heart attack while at his offices in the Humble Oil Building. His son, only 19, took control of the company as its 75% owner and his parents and brother owned the remaining 25%. About a year later, Hughes Jr. bought out his family members and assumed complete ownership.

Under Hughes Jr.’s ownership, the Hughes Tool Company became involved in the motion picture business and aviation (Hughes Aircraft Company). They didn’t completely forgo drilling, though in 1933, two Hughes engineers invented the tri-cone bit, which drilled holes even straighter and faster than previous bits. https://petroleumservicecompany.com/blog/howard-hughes-oil-revolutionary/

Rockefeller Standard Oil was Humble Oil owned by Prescott Bush