Elon Musk’s Parents Thought He Was Deaf — A Surprising Fact About the Tesla CEO
10 Surprising Facts About Elon Musk
Elon Musk is arguably one of the most famous figures in the tech world, known for his influential companies like Tesla and SpaceX. Unlike typical tech CEOs, he has become a household name, often overshadowing the brands he leads. Despite his fame, many intriguing details about his life remain lesser-known.
1. Bullied as a Child
Contrary to his cool image, Musk endured severe bullying during school, once getting beaten so badly he had to be hospitalized after being pushed down a staircase, as detailed in his biography.
2. Immersed in Books
On a childhood filled with reading, Musk reportedly devoured the entire Encyclopedia Britannica by age nine and spent up to 10 hours daily with science fiction, comics, and literature, shaping his imagination and ambitions.
3. Quiet Nature
His introverted tendencies were so pronounced that his parents and doctors initially thought he might be deaf. His deep involvement in his thoughts often made him unresponsive to external stimuli.
4. Early Tech Talent
Self-taught coder, Musk created and sold his first video game, Blastar, at age 12 for $500. The game remains available online for enthusiasts to try.
5. Entrepreneurial Start
At 16, he attempted to open a video game arcade with his brother. Later, he co-founded Zip2, a city guide software company sold to Compaq for over $300 million. He also turned a college frat house into a nightclub, drawing hundreds of visitors.
6. Inspiration for Iron Man
Actor Robert Downey Jr. sought Musk’s insight for the Tony Stark character, even briefly appearing in Iron Man 2 and considering collaboration on an electric jet.
7. X-Men Enthusiast
Musk is a dedicated comic fan and has named Tesla robots after X-Men characters, including Xavier, Wolverine, and Iceman, reflecting his admiration for the Marvel universe.
8. Tweet-Founded Company
In 2016, Musk jokingly tweeted about creating The Boring Company to build tunnels for transportation. The company turned the joke into reality, constructing a 21-mile-long tunnel in Los Angeles.
9. Friendship with Larry Page
Despite the competitive nature of the tech industry, Musk has a close friendship with Google’s Larry Page, often gaming together and visiting each other’s homes.
10. AI Safety Advocate
Concerned about AI’s potential risks, Musk co-founded OpenAI and started Neuralink, aiming to develop brain-computer interfaces to protect humanity from possible AI threats.