Elon Musk is one of the most influential and controversial figures of our time. As the CEO of Tesla, founder of SpaceX, and co-founder of PayPal, Musk has revolutionized multiple industries and constantly challenges the status quo. But beyond his business achievements, his life is filled with curiosities that go far beyond the headlines. In this article, we will explore seven surprising facts about Elon Musk that you probably didn’t know. Get ready to dive into the mind of this visionary!
1. Elon Musk Started Programming at Age 10
One of the most fascinating facts about Elon Musk is that he started programming at just 10 years old. As a child, he taught himself to program in BASIC, one of the earliest and simplest programming languages. By the age of 12, Musk had sold his first computer game, called Blastar, for about $500. This was the beginning of a career that would change the tech world forever.
Click here and play Blastar through your browser.
2. Musk Nearly Went Bankrupt With SpaceX
Before becoming the billionaire known for his ambition to colonize Mars, Elon Musk went through some tough times. In 2008, SpaceX was on the brink of bankruptcy after three failed rocket launches. Musk, who had invested almost all his fortune in the company, was close to giving up. However, the fourth launch was a success, saving the company and securing a $1.6 billion contract with NASA. This turnaround was crucial for Musk to continue his journey in the space industry.
3. Elon Musk Has Made Cameos in Movies and TV Shows
Another interesting fact about Elon Musk is his involvement in entertainment. He has appeared in movies like Iron Man 2 and popular TV shows such as The Big Bang Theory and Rick and Morty. Musk is known for his sense of humor and being a fan of science fiction, making his appearances even more entertaining. These cameos have helped solidify his public image as an approachable and charismatic entrepreneur.
4. The Tesla Car in Space
Elon Musk made history in 2018 when he sent a Tesla Roadster into space. The car was launched aboard the Falcon Heavy, SpaceX’s most powerful rocket. At the wheel was a mannequin named Starman, dressed in a space suit. The Tesla is now orbiting the Sun and has become a cultural icon, symbolizing the fusion of technology and space exploration. This event was not only a milestone for SpaceX but also a brilliant marketing move for Tesla.
5. Controversies: Elon Musk and His Provocative Statements
It’s impossible to talk about Elon Musk without mentioning his controversies. Musk is known for his provocative statements on Twitter, which have gotten him into trouble. In 2018, he called a British diver a “pedo guy” during the rescue of a group of children trapped in a cave in Thailand, leading to a defamation lawsuit. Additionally, Musk has faced criticism for his views on the coronavirus, cryptocurrencies, and artificial intelligence. Despite the controversies, these statements often keep Musk in the spotlight, reinforcing his media presence.
Musk’s latest controversy involves Brazil and X (Twitter). Clashes with the Supreme Court (STF) for not obeying the demands of Minister Alexandre de Moraes, led to X being blocked in Brazil.
6. Musk Founded a Private School for His Children
Concerned about the quality of his children’s education, Elon Musk decided to create his own school, called Ad Astra , which means “To the Stars” in Latin. The school was founded in 2014 and was initially exclusive to Musk’s children and a few SpaceX employees. Ad Astra stands out for its innovative curriculum, focusing on practical skills and problem-solving rather than traditional teaching methods. The school reflects Musk’s vision that education should prepare children for the future more effectively.
7. He Has Ambitious Plans for Mars
One of Elon Musk’s greatest ambitions is to colonize Mars. He believes that humanity needs to become a multiplanetary species to ensure its long-term survival. SpaceX is working on developing the Starship, a fully reusable rocket designed to take humans to Mars and beyond. Musk plans to send the first humans to the red planet within the next decade and eventually establish a self-sustaining colony. This grand dream is one of many that define Musk’s visionary spirit.
Elon Musk is a complex figure with a mind that constantly pushes the boundaries of what is considered possible. His curiosities, from his early start in programming to his interplanetary ambitions, reveal a man driven by a vision of the future that few share. Although he is controversial and often criticized, Musk continues to inspire millions with his determination to transform the world—and perhaps the universe.