The Daredevil on Wheels

It seems that anytime one mentions the word daredevil, the imagery of a courageous Evel Knievel flying through the air on a Harley Davidson appears. Evel Knievel is perhaps the world’s best known daredevil and while he succeeded in many of his jaw dropping stunts, many still say, his reputation as a world class daredevil is not from his successes, but his epic failures.

From the late 1960’s to the early 1980’s Evel Knievel awed millions that watched him perform his incredible leaps of faith. From jumping over cars and busses to attempting to fly over a canyon on a rocket powered motorcycle, Evel Knievel tried to accomplish it all. One of his most well known stunts took place at Caesars Palace in 1967. He attempted to jump over the fountain and while he did clear the fountain, he crash landed, broke several bones and became comatose for about a month. However, when he awoke, he became a national and world star. Daredevil Evel Knievel went on to fail quite often and even today, he holds the Guinness Book of World Records for most broken bones (433). However, it is not his failures that many lament on, but his incredible and inspiring courage.

For those interested in the legendary daredevil Evel Knievel, the Smithsonian Magazine offers a fascinating article on the man, his stunts and his motorcycles. To read this article, please visit our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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The Ultimate Daredevil

Daredevils are a rare breed and Evel Knievel is considered perhaps the best the world has ever seen. Evel Knievel brought awe to thousands of fans that could not believe anyone would risk their life and limb by jumping over incredible objects with only a motorcycle. While his amazing successes brought him instant acclaim, it was his notorious failures that made him famous throughout America and the world- a true man of courage and real American daredevil Evel Knievel.

For anyone growing up in the 60’s and 70’s daredevil Evel Knievel was the go to guy for incredible stunts and a dose of integrity and courage that American’s seeked. While many of his stunts were extremely successful, his incredible failures which include violent crashes, broken bones and comas made him a legend. In fact, his Guinness Book of World Record for most broken bones ( an amazing 433) hopefully will never be challenged.

While this daredevil thrilled audiences and ultimately survived all of his stunts, unfortunately, he did succumb to pulmonary disease at the age of 69. And while Evel Knievel was simply a mortal man, his courage and performances will live on for the years to come.

For more information on the man, the legend, and the daredevil Smithsonian Magazine has an interesting article available, please visit us at our main website at the following link to read it: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Daredevil on a Motorcycle

Evel Knievel, one of the worlds most famous and beloved daredevil became a sensation not after an incredible success, but a dismal failure. In 1967, this daredevil attempted to jump over the fountains at Caesars Palace and while clearing them, landed wrong, tumbled and fell into a coma for about a month. When he awoke, he might have thought he was dreaming as he was now infamous throughout the US and many parts of the world.

Daredevil Evel Knievel’s incredible career spanned in the nation’s limelight from the late 60’s to early 80’s. During these years, Evel Knievel jumped or attempted to jump busses, cars, sharks and even a canyon. With his leather outfit emblazoned with stars and stripes, he brought thousands to arenas and landmarks to watch him defy death with each new stunt.

While daredevil Evel Knievel made many successful jumps (mainly using a modified Harley Davidson), he also experienced some of the most traumatic failures. In fact, Evel Knievel is listed as the individual who has broken the most bones by the Guinness Book of World Records (an incredible 433). Although disputed by Evel Knievel, this record still stands today.

For more information on the life and the true grit of this daredevil, please visit our main website to read the full article today. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Daredevil: The Evel Knievel Experience

Anyone growing up in the late 60’s to early 80’s knew firsthand the legend that was Evel Knievel. While today, stuntmen are more like engineers making numerous calculations in order to safely complete a stunt, Evel Knievel was a true daredevil that threw caution to the wind. Evel Knievel was the master at jumping objects on a motorcycle, no matter what it was (buses, cars, sharks, a canyon, etc). Evel Knievel felt the need to not only jump it on his motorcycle, but make it a world class spectacle. While daredevil Evel Knievel was famous for his many successful jumps, many believe he became a legend from his notorious failures.

Evel Knievel’s Famous 1967 Caesars Palace Jump
One of these infamous failures can be said to be his biggest success (notary wise). In 1967, daredevil Evel Knievel attempted to jump his motorcycle over the fountains of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. It should be noted that he was very successful flying over the fountains, unfortunately his landing went terribly wrong. As he fell from his motorcycle on impact, Evel Knievel was badly injured and went into a coma that he would not come out of for a month. While most would call it quits, Evel Knievel can be said to just be starting his most productive era of his career as a daredevil.

Evel Makes a Comeback
After daredevil Evel Knievel took some time to heal, he made a comeback, first by jumping a small 40 foot stunt in front of 40,000 people and then jumping 13 cars in Seattle Washington, 11 cars in San Francisco and an attempt at 15 cars- which while he did crash, he only suffered a broken ankle. What made this daredevil a legend was his courage and bravery. After breaking his ankle, instead of seeking medical attention, he hopped around on one leg and thanked his audience of 9,000 people.

A World Record of Broken Bones
One of the records this daredevil is known for is that of broken bones. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Evel Knievel has broken a staggering 433 bones- the most documented by any individual. While Evel disputed this total, it can be said that he did break practically every bone at least once. For more on the life of this incredible daredevil, the Smithsonian Magazine has an article on the man, his motorcycles and the stunts he performed. Please visit the Smithsonian Magazine at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com

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