Early Life
Elon Musk was born on June 28th, 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa, to proud parents Maye and Errol Musk. He was a bright and outgoing child, who, from an early age, showed an astonishing aptitude for computers and engineering. Growing up in South Africa exposed him to the harsh realities of the apartheid era and brought about his own realizations about the world; he declared himself to be an atheist at age 10. By his late teens Elon began to formulate of a plan to move to the United States – the country he believed would be more open to even the boldest ideas.
Immigration to United States
In 1989, at age 18, Elon flew to Canada to enroll in Queen’s University. He was an excellent student and was able to easily secure a student visa. Before completing his degree, in 1992, he moved to Pennsylvania on another student visa and transferred to the University of Pennsylvania to study Business and Physics.
During his first few years in the US he worked several odd jobs while studying, including working as a cleaner at a oil refinery. Elon used the summer of 1995, when he was still in school, to apply for work visas and internships. After much effort he was successful in receiving a job offer from a small start-up located in Silicon Valley. This offer would both mark the beginning of his career in technology and set him on the path for his eventual permanent immigration to the United States.
Working In Silicon Valley
After arriving in Silicon Valley, Elon was hired as a software developer at the start-up and quickly rose to the position of head engineer. Within a year he was able to secure a permanent work visa and within three years achieved US citizenship.
In the spring of 1999, after working at the start-up for four years, Elon left the company to pursue his own entrepreneurial dreams. He co-founded a small venture capital firm and funded several other start-ups. One of the most successful was X.com, a payment system and precursor to PayPal.
Founding SpaceX
In 2002, inspired by his own immigration to the United States and the opportunities it provided him, Elon founded Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX). SpaceX is a series of aerospace and energy ventures, made possible by Elon’s singular vision to make space travel more affordable and accessible to the public.
To this day SpaceX employs over 8000 people and is best known for reuseable rocket technology. Elon has stated that the mission of SpaceX is to revolutionize space technology with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets.
Tesla Motors
In 2003, Elon recognized the potential of electric-powered vehicles and decided to step into the automotive industry. He founded Tesla Motors, now known simply as Tesla and shortly after released their first vehicle. Tesla quickly revolutionized the auto industry, bringing large-scale production of electric vehicles to the public.
Today, Tesla is the premier electric vehicle manufacturer, selling over a quarter-million vehicles in the United States alone in 2017. Tesla’s pioneering advancements in autonomous driving, battery technology, and solar energy are helping to shape a future of increased energy efficiency and environmental protection.
The Boring Company
In 2016, Elon founded The Boring Company, a venture that seeks to reduce traffic congestion by developing hyperloop tunnels and other underground transportation systems. To date The Boring Company has achieved much success in designing efficient tunnel systems for cars and pedestrians.
Philanthropy & Education
Elon has also made great strides in the fields of education and philanthropy. He donated 1 million dollars to the Solar Electric Light Foundation and has given over 40 million dollars to various charities since 2001.
In 2017, Elon founded a new foundation, Ad Astra, advocating for reforms in public education with an emphasis on improving teaching techniques, organizational structures and services within the United States.
Advanced Technologies
Elon is constantly pushing the boundaries of technology, and his companies have been responsible for developing cutting-edge products, services, and solutions. With goals of reducing energy consumption, and making the transportation industry more efficient, Elon’s companies are responsible for researching, producing, and selling the most advanced technologies.
For example, Tesla vehicles are supported by a suite of automated features, from lane assist and self-parking, to full autonomous power. The development of self-driving cars will make driving safer and more efficient, and it promises to be a major disruptor to the automotive industry. Similarly, SpaceX is relentlessly working to make space travel more accessible and affordable – eventually allowing for colonization outside of earth, and making space exploration of great scientific value.
Global Impact
Elon’s contributions have had a profound effect on global innovation and technological advancement. He has consistently proven himself to be a brilliant thinker and innovator who has helped to shape the future of technology and transport. His influence will continue to be felt for generations to come and will leave a lasting impact on the world.
Environmental Responsibility
The companies founded by Elon have also had a major impact on the environment, particularly Tesla’s electric vehicles. Transportation accounts for 27% of global greenhouse gas emissions and electric vehicles are one of the most effective means by which this number can be reduced. By investing in Tesla, customers are not only getting an efficient and affordable mode of transport but also reducing their own personal carbon footprint.
Tesla is even taking this one step further, by incentivizing drivers to charge their cars overnight using renewable energy sources. This shift towards sustainable energy plays a major role in the fight against climate change.
Economic Assistance
Along with environmental stewardship Elon has also heavily invested in economic assistance. The majority of Tesla’s mass-market vehicles are available at a lower price due to numerous government subsidies. This has enabled even more people to be able to afford electric vehicles and help increase Tesla’s market share. Additionally, Elon’s donations to numerous charities help to provide assistance to those in need.
Future Innovations
It is clear to see that Elon Musk has helped revolutionize both technology and transportation and that his ventures will continue to make an impact in the years to come. While his current projects are revolutionary, we can only imagine what innovations he will pioneer in the future; he has become a master of taking risks and embracing failure, pushing the boundaries further with each endeavor.
