Howard Hughes made a fortune in the aviation business. In particular. he made a fortune during World War II building planes for the military. However, his war contracts became the subject of a public scandal as he was charged with plying top military officials and President Franklin D. Roosevelt's son with bribes. At the center of the controversy was the Spruce Goose, an S18-million airplane constructed of wood that stood five stories tall. In theory the Spruce Goose was to be a combination of boat and airplane. Testifying before the Senate, Hughes vowed that the plane would fly or he would leave the country. On 2 November 1947, almost by a miracle, the Spruce Goose took off from the water and flew almost one mile before landing in Long Beach Harbor. This was one of Hughes's last public appearances."

Source: Michael Drosnin, Citizen Hughes...