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