Elon Musk on the Early Days of Tesla: Interview Part 1

This is the first segment of a three-part series in which our club President John, Club Vice President Kelvin Gee, and Ryan Levenson from The Kilowatts got to sit down with Elon Musk at Gigafactory Texas. In part 1, we primarily discuss the early days of Tesla and in parts 2 and 3, we get to learn a little more about Elon himself.

0:00 - Understanding Supply Chain
1:54 - Introduction
2:21 - Why Electric Vehicles
9:09 - Studying Energy Storage at Stanford
15:05 - Who Founded Tesla
34:10 - Founding Zip2
38:24 - Tesla Founder Departures
49:52 - Roadster Engineering
1:01:03 - Funding Tesla

Produced by @KLWTTS

#tesla #model3 #modely #elonmusk #interview #models #modelx #tsla

[DillonLoomis]

Most people don't appreciate the financial and reputational risk Elon has taken to get Tesla to where it is today. I'm grateful for that! Congrats on the interview, well done 👊🏻

[SolvingTheMoneyProblem]

Good job lads, great interview! Looking forward to part 2.

[beaconterraoneonline]

SpaceX and Tesla are probably the most amazing juggling acts in history in terms of keeping them both afloat and turning them into viable, impactful companies … both of which paved completely new ground technically. Astonishing what Elon has accomplished, and I wish politicians and others would publicly acknowledge these two groundbreaking companies.

[farzyness]

Thank you everyone for making this happen!!

[LuisAzcona]

12:09 - when this moment happened i have Youtube running audio in the background. I thought Youtube broke. This might be the longest pause in all of Elon Musk's interviews. Even the three hosts froze! GREAT INTERVIEW tho!

[DeltaV]

One of the best Elon interviews I've seen.... and I've seen a lot.

[Vivra_Verra____]

You really can’t beat this man. He knows so much and does so much for humanity and all he wants in return is for us to support him. You really can’t name another guy like Elon Musk

[archanag.]

Wow, this has got to be the most eye-opening podcast I’ve heard regarding the beginnings of Tesla. I hope the algorithm makes this go viral!

[TesLatino]

I am so glad that my friends got to spend quality time with Elon. Awesome to see John, Eli, Kelvin and although behind the scenes, Ryan doing this. Miss you all, and hope to see you again soon.

[maxg]

This interview made me teary... I think only a business owner person having gone through hardship can try to imagine what he went through; yes there have been fun times, but the stress must have been numbing at some of these decision points. The world should be grateful this man exists. Mindboggling.

[tamarakuhn]

When I listen to Elon for content, I am constantly looking up words like “silicon” and asking questions then seeking examples from my own experience that help me understand it so I can explain it to journalists and others. Elon’s understanding of these topics is like the hidden part of a huge iceberg; most people only understand the very tip (and that is if they really try). But sometimes I just like to turn on Elon’s technical interviews just to hear him talk. It makes me feel better knowing there is somebody in the world paying attention who understands all this. Makes me feel safer.

[chrisrama]

This is an amazing interview, people are quick to judge Elon without knowing anything he has been through, so what ever decision he makes now let not to judge quick, like we know more about Tesla as a company than himself

[Tangopassion]

Wow !! What CEO sits down with Fans and by the way the richest CEO and talks so candid about failures and hard times. One can feel like it still hurts him the 2008 stress this is not a Billionaire who takes, this is a human being who rips his heart out to fulfill his dreams, if someone deserves all good what can be is him.

[IdiocracySpace]

A few minutes in and digging the candid storytelling. Damn what a treat for the nerd world. An Elon reality show would be insane.

[romanwowk]

I’ve had many electric cars starting from a converted ice car in 2002, leaf, ford think, bolt and most recently a model Y. Tesla is the only company practically solving the range problem for the masses with both a great car and charging network. Everyone else is either following behind tesla (Ford, VW, GM) or completely in denial that it’s happening (Toyota, Honda).

[carnelldennis]

So much respect for this guy. People just assume that you have a leg up because of money, but he actually did the work AND spent his own money! How could you hate this guy!?!? He's a living testimony to what the American dream could produce and he's not even close to being done!

[cauleentigner]

I simply enjoy his interviews he always so calm and intelligent it's like im watching the ultimate teacher of all

[davidkendall]

Super impressive interview with Elon. What an incredible person he is for his hard and sustained efforts that have launched Tesla and SpaceX! Sick and tired of the Elon haters who do not have a clue about what a significant person he is.

[tdtesla]

Thanks guys - I love listening to Elon - pure gold. He makes so much sense!! I just wish people would appreciate him for what he is & let Elon Elon.

[explor]

Elon has the heart of a child and like any decent person doesn’t understand why people lie or omit the truth.