The Real People Who Inspired Timeless Fictional Characters

Iron Man Is The Comic Book Version Of Howard Hughes

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Photo Credits: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Howard Hughes was a business tycoon, investor, film producer, pilot, and philanthropist. During the 20th century, he was known as one of the most successful icons of his time. In 1932, he established the Hughes Aircraft Company where he built new kinds of air technology, as well as set piloting records himself.

All of his accomplishments, as well as his strong personality traits, are reflected in the comic book character Tony Stark from Ironman. The comic first came out in 1963, back when Hughes was still alive and well, always inventing new technologies and constructing his empire.