The tech industry has been filled with various innovators and entrepreneurs, many of which have had a significant impact on the world at large. One of the most impactful figures of the 21st century, however, has been Elon Musk. The South African born investor, engineer, and business mogul has become well-known for his illustrious career, impressive net worth, and underlying mission to use technology to improve the lives of billions around the world.
As one of the chief innovators of the current era, Elon Musk’s revolutionary impact on technology can be felt in a number of different realms. From environmentally friendly sciences to space exploration and aerospace engineering, Musk’s influence has forever changed the tech landscape as we know it. Here’s a short breakdown of the way Elon Musk has revolutionized tech over the last dozen years.
Introducing Tesla
Perhaps the most famous of Elon Musk’s contributions to the tech industry is Tesla Motors. The company evaluates its mission as “accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy” and draws upon Musk’s vision of an environmentally friendly future. Initially, Tesla was created by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning as a sporty electric car for the luxury class.
After Musk came on board as Chairman and later CEO, he gave the company its ultimate direction in terms of energy efficiency. Today, Tesla is responsible for producing the first semi-autonomous electric car—the Tesla Model X—and its vehicles have since become widely known for their lack of emissions, cost performance, and battery life.
Space Exploration
Of course, it wasn’t Tesla Motors that first caught people’s attention when it came to Elon Musk, as the tech mogul is also widely known for his pioneering work in space exploration. After recognizing the possibility of making space travel more efficient and economical, Musk went on to found the pioneering company SpaceX in 2002, with the ultimate vision of creating “a true spacefaring civilization” on Earth.
Since then, SpaceX has gone on to revolutionize space exploration by splurging upon reusable propulsion technology and creating a fleet of cargo and science spacecraft that have visited Mars and the International Space Station. In 2017, SpaceX made history when its reused Falcon 9 rocket first flew the program’s second commercial mission—marking the first re-flight of an orbital class rocket.
The Musk Digital Empire
As if that weren’t enough, Musk has also extended his entrepreneurial reach and revolutionary spirit beyond the automotive and aerospace realms. Since 2016, Musk has overseen Neuralink Corporation—a neural engineering firm dedicated to unlocking the potential of the human mind and negating barriers to neurological field advancement.
Additionally, under the umbrella of The Boring Company, Musk has implemented tunnels and subterranean transportation networks that have become firmly embedded in urban transit systems worldwide. The tunneling began in California to counter the state’s growing traffic and population rates and has since helped many major cities reduce traffic and congestion in optimal periods.
Strides Toward a Sustainable Future
It’s clear from these various ventures that Elon Musk and his companies are always looking ahead and exploring ways to improve our environment and the way we experience and interact with the world. As the 21st century has unfolded, so too has Musk’s vision for a more efficient and sustainable future for us all.
From Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, to The Boring Company, SolarCity, and Hyperloop, Elon Musk and his various entities have pushed the boundaries of technological innovation and creativity like no other. With an ever-evolving mission to improve the lives of billions—across the world and across industries—we can’t wait to see what the visionary businessman has in store next.
