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Friday, August 10, 2012

Book Review - Hughes After Howard: The Story of Hughes Aircraft Company

About the Book
People everywhere have heard of the eccentric Howard Hughes, but few know that in 1953 he virtually disappeared from the company he began in 1932. Under new, creative, and inspired management, Hughes Aircraft Company became the leading military electronics organization in the world and rose to 85,000 employees. Hughes Aircraft created military high watermarks like Hughes H-4 Hercules "Spruce Goose" aircraft, the atmospheric entry probe carried by the Galileo spacecraft, and the AIM-4 Falcon guided missile. The company is also credited with commercial developments like worldwide satellite communication, digital watches, cell phones, lasers, night vision equipment, and the operation of DirecTV, and the OnStar automobile navigation and emergency services. Some have called Hughes Aircraft a national treasure.

In the first ever in-depth book of Hughes Aircraft Company post-Howard Hughes, former president Ken Richardson details the company's rise to prominence as an iconic American company through its groundbreaking technological advances. By collaborating with over 60 past employees, Richardson has compiled a remarkable piece of American aviation history. Learn about the fascinatingly innovative products in all fields of electronics crafted by this highly motivated, inventive team. This comprehensive and intriguing 496-page book contains 145 photographs and illustrations that accessibly explain the company's cherished technological contributions. Richardson also discusses the mysterious radar testing at Area 51 in Nevada, working with the mythical Howard Hughes, and he reveals humorous details like how all test missiles superstitiously had to have Chiquita banana stickers affixed to them.

About the Author
Ken Richardson, raised in Hawaii, earned three university degrees in engineering and business administration. In 1952, he began at Hughes Aircraft Company as a radar design engineer. In forty years of service, he rose to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer, working with a team of more than 80,000 employees, creating products in every field of advanced electronics technologies.

My Take on the Book
This was a well written book that takes an in-depth look at the Hughes Aircraft copany after the founder left. The book gave a very holistic glimpse into the company for any reader, and as someone that really did not know much about the company itself, this book really opened my eyes to the family which was the company! I was very impressed with the detail that the author provided and I could tell that he did an amazing job at researching the topic. This book not only provides aviation history enthusiasts with a great read, but also provides any manager or manager to be with some great shoes to walk in, as you will see through this book that the company truly was one that any company would love to emulate!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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