The combination of “largest ever”, unusual material, and enormous number of engines definitely evokes the spruce goose. I think the difference is that Elon is clearly building a starship factory instead of a single expensive prototype.

He does not like the Howard Hughes comparison. He wants his inventions to actually change the way thins are done in everyday live.

Watch this interview with a former Astronaut who worked with SpaceX for Crew Dragon. He made this comparison on TV and talked about it with Musk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNG6ZzDh9C8

Quite a funny story.

I'd say more akin to Henry Ford. Probably not as influential for manufacturing, but like ford, built a ton of cars, also in aerospace (ford trimotor was the one of the first successful US ariliner), and against unions.

Who? Everyone knows Steve Jobs. And after small, portable music players (iPods) and smart phones (iPhones), cars and space are just the next big things ripe for disruption. Also the other things Elon does (Powerwall, Solar Roof) are just timed very well. He has a sense for such things. Just like Steve. He also informs and educates us (the public) just like Steve did, creating the famous distortion field. I am happy we have a new Steve Jobs.