ELON MUSK

In a Pretoria hospital, in the summer of 1971, a white baby was born: his parents named him Elon Reeve. At the time, South Africa was heavily under the Apartheid regime and being white was an atout. With a mixed heritage of British and Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry, Musk's curiosity about technology emerged early. His mother, Maye, a Canadian-born model and dietitian who grew up in South Africa, and his father, Errol Musk, a multifaceted South African electromechanical engineer, pilot, and sailor, influenced his path. Growing up with a younger brother, Kimbal, and a younger sister, Tosca, named after the famous opera by Giacomo Puccini, as well as four paternal half-siblings, Musk's childhood was anything but ordinary.

Musk's early life was marked by challenging experiences, including attending a wilderness school he described as a "paramilitary Lord of the Flies": bullying was a default attitude, and children were pitted against each other for food. After his parents' divorce in 1980, Musk chose to live with his father, a decision he would later regret, leading to their estrangement. Despite these hardships, Musk found solace in books, crediting his later success to the many hours spent reading classics like The Lord of the Rings by J.R. Tolkien, believed by some to be the Bible for conservatism thinking, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy which is, instead, the cult-reading for techies and sci-fi lovers. By the age of ten, Musk had developed a keen interest in computing, teaching himself programming from the user manual of VIC-20, the first large scale personal computer, commercialized by the English company Commodore. At twelve, he developed a BASIC-based videogame called Blastar which he sold to a computer magazine for about 500 US Dollars: it was his first revenue.

In 1989, Musk moved to Canada to attend Queen's University and later transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, reconnecting with his family roots. There, he earned two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in physics and a Bachelor of Science in economics from Wharton School. Musk claims he earned these degrees in 1995, but the university awarded them only in 1997: controversy would always be a part of his life. To help cover his tuition fees, Musk reportedly hosted ticketed house parties.

Elon Musk's ambitions extended far beyond Earth. In early 2001, he became involved with the nonprofit Mars Society and discussed funding plans to place a growth-chamber for plants on Mars. In October of the same year, he traveled to Moscow with Jim Cantrell and Adeo Ressi to buy refurbished intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that could send the greenhouse payloads into space. After returning empty-handed from the negotiations, Musk decided to start a company that could build affordable rockets. With 100 million Dollars of his own money, Musk founded SpaceX in May 2002, becoming the company's CEO and Chief Engineer. SpaceX faced numerous challenges in its early years, including three consecutive launch failures. However, Musk's unwavering determination and substantial personal investment kept the company afloat. In 2008, SpaceX achieved its first major milestone with the successful launch of the Falcon 1 rocket, making it the first privately-developed liquid-fueled rocket to reach orbit. This success led to a 1.6 billion-Dollar contract from NASA to deliver cargo to the International Space Station (ISS), solidifying SpaceX's role in the aerospace industry.

Elon Musk's ambitions extended far beyond Earth. In early 2001, he became involved with the nonprofit Mars Society and discussed funding plans to place a growth-chamber for plants on Mars. In October of the same year, he traveled to Moscow with Jim Cantrell and Adeo Ressi to buy refurbished intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that could send the greenhouse payloads into space. After returning empty-handed from the negotiations, Musk decided to start a company that could build affordable rockets. With 100 million Dollars of his own money, Musk founded SpaceX in May 2002, becoming the company's CEO and Chief Engineer. SpaceX faced numerous challenges in its early years, including three consecutive launch failures. However, Musk's unwavering determination and substantial personal investment kept the company afloat. In 2008, SpaceX achieved its first major milestone with the successful launch of the Falcon 1 rocket, making it the first privately-developed liquid-fueled rocket to reach orbit. This success led to a 1.6 billion-Dollar contract from NASA to deliver cargo to the International Space Station (ISS), solidifying SpaceX's role in the aerospace industry.

While SpaceX was taking off, Musk was also revolutionizing the automotive industry. In 2004, he joined Tesla Motors, an electric vehicle startup originally founded by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, as an early investor and chairman of the board. Musk led Tesla's initial funding round and became the company's CEO and product architect in 2008.

Under Musk's leadership, the company launched the Roadster, the first electric sports car, followed by the Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y. These vehicles combined cutting-edge technology, impressive performance, and sleek design, shattering the stereotype of electric cars being slow and unattractive. The name Tesla comes from Nikola Tesla, the American-Serbian scientist who invented the modern alternating current (AC) electricity.

As of early 2024, Tesla has sold around 5 million vehicles worldwide. The company's revenue for the previous fiscal year was approximately 100 billion Dollars, and its market capitalization stands at just shy of 700 billion Dollars as of July 2024. Tesla's advancements in electric vehicles have significantly contributed to the global shift towards sustainable transportation.

In addition to electric vehicles, Tesla has also expanded into energy storage and solar energy products, furthering its goal of sustainability. The company's Gigafactories; massive production facilities for batteries, electric vehicles and other products, have been critical in scaling production and reducing costs.

Elon Musk's relentless drive to innovate extends beyond automotive and aerospace. In 2013, he proposed the Hyperloop, a high-speed transportation system using pressurized tubes to transport pods at speeds exceeding 700 miles per hour. While Musk's companies have not directly pursued the development of the Hyperloop, the concept has inspired several startups and research projects worldwide.

Another groundbreaking venture is Neuralink, founded by Musk in 2016. Neuralink aims to develop advanced brain-machine interfaces, enabling direct communication between the human brain and computers. The potential applications range from treating neurological disorders to enhancing human cognition. Although still in its early stages, Neuralink has already made significant progress, including successful trials on animals and the first human trials slated to begin soon.

Musk's vision for a sustainable future also led to the creation of SolarCity in 2006, a solar energy services company founded by his cousins Lyndon and Peter Rive. SolarCity became the largest provider of solar energy systems in the United States, and in 2016, it was acquired by Tesla, forming Tesla Energy. This acquisition allowed Tesla to offer a comprehensive suite of renewable energy products, including solar panels, solar roofs, and energy storage solutions.

In 2016, Musk launched The Boring Company, addressing urban transportation challenges by developing tunneling and infrastructure technology. The company's goal is to alleviate traffic congestion through underground transportation networks. One of its notable projects is the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop, a tunnel system designed to transport passengers quickly and efficiently across the convention center campus.

Despite his numerous successes, Elon Musk's journey has not been without controversy. His outspoken nature and unorthodox methods have often put him at odds with regulators, investors, and the public. Musk's use of social media, particularly Twitter, which he rebranded X, has been a source of both admiration and criticism. In 2018, a series of tweets about taking Tesla private led to a lawsuit by the SEC, resulting in Musk stepping down as Tesla's chairman and paying a substantial fine.

In 2022, Musk made headlines with his acquisition of Twitter for 44 billion Dollars. The takeover was marked by drama and controversy, including a legal battle over Musk’s initial attempt to back out of the deal. Once at the helm, Musk implemented sweeping changes, from staff layoffs to altering content moderation policies, sparking debates about free speech and corporate governance.

Additionally, Musk’s ambitious timelines and bold claims have sometimes led to skepticism and disappointment. Delays in product launches, production challenges, and financial struggles have tested the patience of investors and customers. Nevertheless, Musk's resilience and ability to deliver on his promises, albeit sometimes later than expected, have maintained his reputation as a visionary leader.

Musk’s wealth, primarily derived from his stakes in Tesla and SpaceX, has fluctuated dramatically over the years. As of early 2024, his net worth stands at approximately 240 billion Dollars, making him the richest individual on the planet. His financial strategies and investment decisions continue to be closely watched by markets and analysts worldwide.

Musk’s connection with former U.S. President Donald Trump has also been a subject of outcry. Although Musk has publicly criticized some of Trump’s policies and actions, he has also shown support for Trump's economic initiatives, particularly those that favor business and innovation.

Musk's relationship with his mother Maye, whom he loves to be pictured with at social events, has been a significant influence in his life. Maye's resilience and success in her own right have undoubtedly shaped Elon’s drive and determination. Despite her demanding career, Maye was a supportive and inspiring figure, instilling in her children the importance of hard work and ambition. Historians, in 20 years, will tell how much Musk really impacted modern society. For now, one thing is sure: from smoking weed on air, on a radio show, to anti-woke public outrage, to meeting far-right Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, Elon Musk is the most divisive entrepreneur ever.