A steak with a side of mania: Chasing the real story of Howard Hughes and his obsession with peas

Abstract

Abstract Using food and meals as a basis of approach to a subject establishes almost instant relatability. It can lead to amazing insights, but with the power of this insight comes an equally powerful ability to form cruel judgments and even create myth. Such is the case with Howard Hughes and his compulsive activity regarding meals, especially the size and quantity of the peas served with his customary meal. Although undiagnosed, Hughes exhibited signs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) through much of his life, with stories of his battles with mental illness ranging from truth to fiction. Hughes’ story shows how a meal practice can be used to shock and malign when such common practices deviate from our norms. This article examines Hughes and his obsession with peas in order to explore how nonstandard actions undertaken as part of a unifying activity—such as food consumption—can be susceptible to sensationalism and myth creation.