Bricklike Objects

[rain_gryphon]

Mister Splashy Pants is now at 71%

*****

Evel Knievel has died of natural causes. I wonder what kind of payoff I'd be getting today if I'd put $20 on that back in 1970 or so.

*****

I can't even begin to guess how many painful misadventures for boys of my generation began by invoking the mighty name of Evel Knievel. It became a generic noun, like Xerox - "He did an Evel Knievel..." Literally every boy I knew, and some girls too, jumped their bikes off ramps. Almost any vacant lot was bound to have some sort of jump ramp. I had an old army helmet that I mounted fireworks on, and wore it for a couple jumps, to the admiration of my peers :)

Comments

[loganberrybunny.livejournal.com]

I remember being astounded to discover that Evel Knievel was a real person. I was under the impression that he was "Evil Knievel", and a created character along the lines of wrestlers.

[xolo.livejournal.com]

I was under the impression that he was [...] a created character along the lines of wrestlers

He kind of was, in his own fashion. He was certainly bigger than life. The BBC had this comment: He was such a mythical and iconic figure that later on, as a teenager, I had to be convinced he wasn't some made-up figure from a distant childhood memory.


Looking back on it too, the man crashed constantly. He was more brave and enthusiastic than capable. He's one of the last people you ever guessed would die from old age :)

[ben-mouse.livejournal.com]

It's an easy drive from where I live to the sight of his infamous Snake River Canyon jump attempt.

[xolo.livejournal.com]

Indeed? Is there anything left there anymore? I recall watching that on TV when it happened.