The Vergecast How Tesla became the Elon Musk Co. from Land of the Giants
Aug 9, 2023
In this riveting discussion, Elon Musk, the visionary CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, dives into Tesla's incredible journey from obscure startup to electric vehicle giant. He shares insights into the birth of Tesla, emphasizing his ambitious vision for sustainable transportation. The conversation highlights his transformation from an initial supporter to the brand's dominant figure and touches on pivotal moments, including the launch of the Roadster. Musk also addresses the complex relationship between his social media antics and Tesla's meteoric rise.
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PayPal Coup
- Elon Musk's honeymoon at PayPal was cut short due to a boardroom coup orchestrated by Peter Thiel.
- Thiel's allies ousted Musk from the CEO position while he was away, replacing him with Thiel.
Illusion of Control
- Musk's control at PayPal was an illusion; Thiel held the true power.
- This experience taught Musk a crucial lesson about maintaining control within a company.
The Spark of an Idea
- Martin Eberhard, after selling his e-reader startup, wanted a sporty, eco-friendly car.
- Disappointed with existing "punishment cars," he and Mark Tarpening envisioned a fast, sleek electric sports car.