Hands of Hercules
Mixed Media
31” x 48” x 24”

While searching for chairs from the 1920’s several weeks ago, I stumbled across this one and just happened to notice the small metal plate on the back that read “Property of Hughes Tool Company.” I was intrigued, so after doing a little research it was then I learned of it’s interesting, historical origin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hughes_Tool_Company

I decided to utilize this chair for a personal project. I wanted to use it to create a vintage ‘Aviators Chair’ in honor of one of the most eccentric aviators of our time. Howard Hughes Jr.

A little background: in 1914, Howard Hughes, Sr acquired all shares of Sharp-Hughes Tool Company and in 1915 officially renamed it Hughes Tool Company. Upon his death, his son Howard Hughes Jr. acquired the remaining shares of the business. “He was an American business magnate, investor, record-setting pilot, engineer, film director, and philanthropist, known during his lifetime as one of the most financially successful individuals in the world. He first became prominent as a film producer, and then as an influential figure in the aviation industry.” (Wikipedia)

Hughes expanded into many different venues, but one of the areas he’s well know for is when he formed Hughes Aircraft Company, set multiple world air speed records and built airplanes. The Hughes H-4 Hercules prototype, aka ‘Spruce Goose’ (the one I was the most fascinated with,) which was built completely out of wood.

The wooden wings represent the Spruce Goose and the vintage wooden propellers actually spin. The hands on the arm rest are sculpted from photo’s of Howard Hughes actual hands. One is gripping and pulling back on what is representational of a vintage airplane throttle lever.

Cast iron, epoxy putty, steel, paint