May 30th 1967; Daredevil Evel Knievel jumped 16 automobiles in a row in a motorcycle stunt at Ascot Speedway in Gardena, CA. The quintessential American daredevil motorcyclist, Evel Knievel defied gravity as he rode his bike to the heights of international fame in increasingly challenging, thrilling stunts. Knievel’s popularity transcended the world of motorcycling. During the early 1970s, Knievel was one of the best known celebrities in the world. His jumps attracted thousands of spectators and millions more watched on television.

Knievel reached the zenith of his popularity in 1974, prior to his ill-fated jump over the Snake River Canyon in Idaho in a jet-powered “Sky-Cycle.” At least two feature films and numerous books were made on Knievel’s life. After years of relative obscurity, Knievel enjoyed a renewal of popularity in the 1990s and was featured in television commercials. A number of television specials retold the story of his life and times.