Vernon Estes (Person)
Born in St Joseph, Missouri, on January 4, 1930, Vern Estes founded the model rocket company Estes.
Estes is the most successful model rocket company, but it wasn't the first. G. Harry Stine and Orville Carlisle founded Model Missiles Incorporated in 1957. MMI soon found itself unable to meet the demand for model rocket motors.
MMI contacted Mile High Fireworks of Denver, Colorado. Vern's father, Earl Estes owned the fireworks company where Vern worked. Vern accepted the challenge of building a machine to automate the process of manufacturing model rocket motors.
Operated remotely and powered with compressed air, "Mabel," as Vern nicknamed the machine, produced a rocket motor in 5.5 seconds.
When MMI folded a few years later, Estes formed Estes Industries to produce model rocket kits, parts, and motors.
Estes sold his interest in Estes Industries in 1969.
Sponsored Ads
 |
 |