Monday, July 7, 2008

American Daredevil: Evel Knievel

Evel Knievel is known throughout the world as the ultimate daredevil.  He has amazed millions by risking his life and limb to bring real, live spectacle to the masses.  Evel Knievel is an American original and it can be said that the likes of his courage and charisma will not be seen for a long time.


Evel Knievel from the late 60’s to the early 80’s would pretty much try to jump anything that would guarantee a large audience, from busses, to sharks to a canyon and while many of those watched this daredevil to see his fantastic successes, his failures were not only dramatic, but jaw dropping.


Evel Knievel would do incredible harm to his body, but his mythical daredevil persona grew as he consistently defied death.  According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Evel Knievel holds the record for most bones broken at a staggering 433.  However, while documented, Evel continued to deny this amount to his death in November of 2007.  While Evel did cheat death as a daredevil, he eventually succumbed to pulmonary disease at the age of 69.


For more on the life, the stunts and the motorcycles this daredevil rode, visit the Smithsonian Magazine at the following link:  http://www.smithsonianmag.com


Cleopatra, Parthenon, Daredevil, Black Holes

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