Summa Corporation

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Summa Corporation was the name adopted for the business interests of Howard Hughes after he sold the tool division of Hughes Tool Company in 1972. The tool division would merge with Baker International in 1987 to form Baker Hughes, the world's third-largest oil-services company. The name "Summa", Latin for "highest", was allegedly chosen by several of Hughes' employees without consulting him first. Hughes was allegedly dissatisfied, and preferred the name "HRH Properties" - with the initials standing for both "Howard Robard Hughes" and "Hughes Resort Hotels". His suggestions were never implemented, and the company remained Summa for 18 years following Hughes' death.

This new holding company contained Hughes' varied investments including:


Howard Hughes died in 1976 at the age of 71, leaving no will. Administrators were appointed led by his cousin William Lummis. Most of Summa's operations were gradually liquidated. Summa's Nevada money losing mining interests were sold by the end of 1976, while KLAS-TV and Hughes Sports Network were both sold in 1978. Hughes Air West was sold to Republic Airlines in 1981, Hughes Helicopters was sold to McDonnell Douglas for $500 million in 1984. The hotel and casino properties were gradually sold off during the 1980s. As its original businesses were sold, Summa recast itself as a real estate developer, using the vast tracts of undeveloped land Hughes had amassed around Las Vegas as a starting point.

In September 1994 Summa Corporation was renamed The Howard Hughes Corporation, both to honor Howard Hughes and to fulfill his original intentions of keeping his name on the business.

Howard Hughes Corp. was acquired by the Rouse Company in 1996. Rouse was, in turn, acquired by General Growth Properties in 2004. Howard Hughes Corp. survives as a General Growth subsidiary.