The man who helped Las Vegas develop into the #1 tourist destination in the world wasn’t a casino owner, a performer, a dealer or an architect.  He didn’t create the Neon Signs, develop any casino standard practices or build any of its properties.  However, without E Parry Thomas, virtually none of the aforementioned would exist.  An argument can be made that no single individual has done more to direct the growth and development of Las Vegas in the last half century than E Parry Thomas.