The Rocketman!!!
Did you know that the original "Rocket Man" was from Minnesota? Ky Michaelson grew up in a time without the technological wonders we have today, but he became one of the leading contributors to significant advancements in land speed records, paving the way for SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Checking out the size of the television screen from his youth on the shelf, it has a 2"X2" screen!
He has 72 state, national, and international land speed records. He founded the Civilian Space eXploration team, and was the first civilian citizen to put a rocket into space.
Even AI recognizes Ky Michaelson as "The Rocketman"!
He grew up in an era with limited opportunities. Television was cutting-edge technology that only a handful of families owned, cars typically traveled at 40-50 mph, and space travel existed only in the imagination. Undiagnosed dyslexia forced him to leave school after eighth grade.
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But none of that stopped him from becoming a pioneer in land speed records, and rocket technology.
He has created rocket-powered snowmobiles, roller skates, bikes, cars, backpacks, and even a rocket-powered toilet. More recently, he built a motorcycle that runs on a keg of beer.
He was inspirational! When he spoke to our group, he shared three ideas: "Don't let anything stop you. Go for your dreams. Never accept no for an answer." His own life proves that absolutely anything is possible if you try.
Want to learn more? Ky has set 72 state, national, and international speed records and worked on over 200 films and television programs.
His story has been featured in:
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Wikipedia and the Civilian Space eXploration Team archives
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Guinness Book of World Records
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Ripley's Believe It or Not
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The Discovery Channel documentary "Homemade Astronauts"
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Over 200 movies, including "Smokey and the Bandit"
Check out his website for links to videos and more about his accomplishments.​​
Wikipedia, Civilian Space eXploration team
Check out just a couple of the winning trophies; the one below is for Worlds fastest dragster at the Bonneville Salt Flats!
He partnered with Kitty O'Neil, a deaf stuntwoman who worked on "The Bionic Woman" and the original "Wonder Woman." She went on to become a speed racer and drove a hydrogen peroxide-powered rocket dragster to set world speed records.
The list of amazing accomplishments is endless. Even today, he is still creating vehicles, and projects. He doesn't let anything stop him!
We should all take Ky's advice: stop making excuses and start reaching for the stars. As he said, if he can do it, so can you!