Elon Musk turned 53 today. The businessman and visionary, born in South Africa, revolutionized throughout his life at least three global industries: technology and the Internet, automotive and aerospace.
From its early foray into digital payment platforms to the conquest of space with SpaceX, everything he touches, does and says Musk, the richest man in the world, according to Forbes magazine, impacts the world.
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However, his career is not without controversy. Controversial statements, an autocratic leadership style, criticism of his work practices and even the origin of his parents’ fortune have generated debate and questions about his image.
Elon Musk turns 53: from PayPal and Twitter to the conquest of space, we review 11 milestones in his life. (Photo: Reuters)
Elon Musk is one of the leading figures in the world of technology and innovation today. His impact on society is undeniable and his legacy is yet to be written. For these reasons, and on the occasion of his birthday, today June 28, We remember the 10 most important milestones of his public life:
1. Birth and early years (1971-1995)
Elon Musk was born on June 28, 1971 in Pretoria, South Africa. From an early age he demonstrated an exceptional aptitude for technology and engineering. So much so that at 12 years old He created a video game that he sold for $500. At the age of 17, he moved to Canada to study physics and engineering at Queen’s University. He then completed his studies at the University of Pennsylvania where he earned two degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Bachelor of Arts in Physics.
2. Beginnings in Silicon Valley and Zip2 (1995-1999)
In 1995, Musk moved to Silicon Valley, California, to pursue a PhD at Stanford, but left shortly after to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions. It was then that he co-founded Zip2, a software company that provided city guides and maps to web newspapers. In 1999, Compaq Computers acquired the company for $307 million, making Musk the world’s largest corporation. multimillionaire at 27 years old.
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3. X.com, PayPal and the transformation of digital payments (1999-2002)
In 1999, Musk founded X.com, an online financial services company that later merged with Confinity to become PayPal. The new company focused on online payments and revolutionized the way people and companies complete transactions and send money over the web. In 2002, the mega company eBay acquired PayPal for 1.5 billion, which generated a fortune and allowed it to rank among the richest people in the world.
4. Founding of SpaceX and the dream of conquering Mars (2002)
In 2002, Musk created SpaceX, an aerospace company with the goal of reducing the costs and increasing the reliability of space travel. SpaceX successfully designed, manufactured and launched its own rockets and spacecraft, such as the Falcon 9 and the spacecraft Crew DragonThe company’s ultimate goal is to establish a self-sufficient human colony on Mars.
Read also: Eight former SpaceX employees sue Elon Musk for sexual harassment and retaliation
5. Tesla and the electric car revolution (2004)
In 2004, Elon Musk joined Tesla Motors as chairman and lead investor, and then in 2008, he became its CEO. Under his leadership, Tesla has become the world leader in the production and sale of luxury and high-performance electric vehicles. The company also introduced innovative battery technologies, propulsion systems, and autonomous driving software. In addition, they are in full development of robots with artificial intelligence.
6. SolarCity and sustainable solar energy (2006-2016)
In 2016, the billionaire co-founded SolarCity, a company that installed and sold solar energy systems for homes and businesses. The firm became the largest solar energy provider in the United States before being acquired by Tesla in 2016. Musk’s vision for this project is to promote solar energy as a clean and sustainable source of energy for the planet.
7. Hyperloop and the future of transportation (2013)
In 2013, Musk presented the concept of Hyperloop, a high speed transportation system which uses capsules that slide through low-pressure tubes. The technology Hyperloop It is still in its early stages of development, but has the potential to revolutionize ground transportation.
8. Neuralink and the brain-computer interface (2016)
Perhaps one of his most controversial projects. In 2016, Musk co-founded Neuralink, a neurotechnology company developing brain-computer interfacesThe goal of the project is to connect the human brain to computers, and allow for more direct and fluid communication between the two. The technology has the potential to treat neurological diseases, improve human cognition and create new ways of interacting with technology.
Read also: “I thought it was all over”: Neuralink patient recounts the ordeal he endured due to chip failures
9. The Boring Company and the infrastructure of the future (2016)
In 2016 he created The Boring Company, a construction and engineering company specializing in underground tunnels. The company aims to create a network of high-speed tunnels to reduce traffic congestion and improve public transportation.
10. Starlink and satellite internet access (2016)
starlink is one of Elon Musk’s most significant and spectacular projects. The company aims to provide broadband internet access through a constellation of low-orbit satellites to provide broadband internet access globally.
11. The purchase of Twitter (2022-2023)
In 2022, Elon Musk began buying Twitter shares until he became eThe company’s largest individual shareholder, with a participation of 9.2%. He subsequently declined to join the board of directors and submitted an offer to buy the entire platform for $54.20 per share, valuing the company at $44 billion.
After weeks of negotiations, back and forth, threats to cancel the agreement and take the operation to court, Twitter and Musk have reached an agreement to proceed with the acquisition.
After taking control, the tycoon made dozens of changes at the corporate, administrative and user experience level in the social network, among them, the most extreme was the change of the platform’s name to X, and the incorporation of premium profiles and payments.
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Elon Musk is a symbol of the digital age, a technological pioneer that transformed the way we live, work and communicate. His vision and ability to execute complex projects made him a role model for many people, especially within the new generations of entrepreneurs and innovators.
