Early Life
Elon Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa in 1971. As a child, he often asked lots of questions, usually to the frustration of his parents. He had a very inquisitive, analytical mind, which he has continued to hone throughout his career. Aged 12, he taught himself computer programming by reading the source code for a popular video game and then building his own. Musk was homeschooled from the age of 10 to use his own initiative and analytical skills. His academic education took him to Queen’s University in Canada at the age of 17. After two years, he transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, USA and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Physics.
Successful Entrepreneur
Musk was an entrepreneur at heart. In 1995, he founded Zip2 Corporation, a web software company. Four years later, he sold the company to Compaq Computers for $307 million. In 1999, Musk co-founded X.com, an online financial services company. The company eventually became PayPal, which eBay purchased for $1.5 billion. It was through these two early successes that Musk earned his reputation as a successful entrepreneur.
Futuristic Tech Ventures
In 2002, Elon Musk saw an opportunity to identify and develop futuristic technologies that could have a global impact. He set up three companies focused on this mission: Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX), Tesla Motors, and SolarCity. SpaceX is a private space exploration company working to develop commercial space transportation technology to reduce the cost of space exploration. Tesla Motors was established to design, manufacture and market electric cars, while SolarCity focuses on creating clean energy through photovoltaic energy systems.
Rise of Tesla and Sustainable Technologies
Elon Musk’s vision for Tesla was that of a car manufacturer that could design, manufacture and market luxury electric cars with long range batteries and zero emissions. Through a combination of innovation, design and engineering, Tesla’s vehicles quickly achieved success in the sports car market. Since then, they have started to dominate the luxury electric vehicle market with a portfolio of advanced driving and battery technologies. Tesla’s success has been echoed in the success of its competitors in the electric car market and has helped to drive a global transition to sustainable technologies.
The transition to Autonomous Transportation
In 2017, Tesla introduced its Autopilot system, a suite of semi-autonomous driver-assistance technologies designed to reduce the need for human intervention while driving. This technology has had a direct impact on the industry, with other car manufacturers now racing to develop car technologies to rival those of Tesla. Beyond the Autopilot system, Tesla is also developing fully autonomous technologies for their cars, which are already being tested on their vehicles. This demonstrates Elon Musk’s commitment to moving the industry closer to a future of autonomous transportation.
Evolution of SpaceX
SpaceX is now considered one of the most successful private space exploration companies in the world. Founded in 2002, it has already achieved a number of milestones, such as achieving re-usable rocket technology, successfully launching satellites into orbit, and transporting cargo to the International Space Station. SpaceX’s plans to help humans explore and colonize other planets are ambitious and have made Elon Musk a figure of awe and admiration in the space exploration community.
Making Solar Energy Competitive
SolarCity is a major proponent of the transition to renewable energy. Through its installations, SolarCity has made solar energy more accessible and competitive with traditional sources of energy. SolarCity has made it easier for individuals and businesses to install solar panels on their own by removing the complexity and cost associated with installation, maintenance and monitoring. SolarCity has also partnered up with utilities to create corporate-sponsored solar farms located on their properties.
The Impact on the Future
Elon Musk’s vision and drive have had a huge impact on the world around us, from the transition to renewable energy sources to the democratization of space exploration. Through his companies, he has automated, innovated and revolutionized certain industries, which has had an impact on millions of lives. The future of technology and innovation hinges greatly upon the vision, values and mission of Elon Musk and his ability to stay ahead of the game.
