Howard Hughes
Anybody who has ever discovered black mold in their home knows how hard it is to get rid of a parasitical element that sucks the very life from its host. This is exactly what organized crime was doing to Vegas throughout the 50's and 60's. One man stood up and committed himself to the de-mobbing Vegas and making it safe for legitimate business. That man was the eccentric billionaire, Howard Hughes.
The very presence of a man like Hughes started to change Vegas almost immediately. If one of the richest men in the world, one of the nation's largest defense contractors and a genuine national hero, was willing to invest in Las Vegas, it must not be such a sordid, evil place after all. He also bought out many of the old-timers. Mob activities declined in the four years that Howard Hughes was in Las Vegas.
Once he had done his best to clean up "Sin city" he figured he may as well enjoy the city. The fact was that Howard was addicted to the glitz and glamour that can only be found in Las Vegas. Even after a near fatal plane crash in 1946, Hughes continued to visit the Nevada gaming oasis. He was a regular visitor to Vegas during the 40's and 50's. His presence at the tables legitimized gambling to a number of people and is one of the things that brought it into the mainstream.
He may have been extremely eccentric, but the man knew a good thing when he saw it.
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