The world welcomed Evel Knievel on October 17th, 1938 — a man who would become one of America's most beloved motorcycle stunt performers. For an impressive 35 years, he held the record for jumping over the most stacked cars, a feat that remained unbroken until October 2008. Today, his iconic customized Harley Davidson XR-750, constructed from aluminum, steel, and fiberglass, can be viewed on exhibition at the National Museum of American History.
Throughout his daredevil career, Knievel reportedly sustained about 433 bone fractures — a staggering number that landed him in the Guinness Book of World Records for surviving the most bones broken in a lifetime. That said, the figure may have been exaggerated over time, since Knievel himself could only recall breaking 35.
Knievel's very first known jump set the tone for his wild career: he soared over a crate of rattlesnakes and two mountain lions on a Honda 250cc motorcycle. From there, his career became a mix of triumphs and spectacular crashes. Many of his failures could be traced back to riding motorcycles equipped with suspensions designed primarily for flat track racing or street riding rather than the punishing demands of stunt jumping. Despite the setbacks, his legacy was remarkable — he drew thousands of spectators to his live performances and earned his place among legends with an induction into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.