Elon Musk is often hailed as the visionary behind Tesla, the electric vehicle company that has revolutionized the automotive industry. However, the real story behind how Musk “stole” Tesla—an entrepreneurial saga that has more twists and turns than most business thrillers—remains shrouded in controversy. While Musk is undoubtedly the face of the company today, Tesla’s origins are far more complicated than a simple tale of a founder bringing an idea to life.

Here’s the untold story of how Elon Musk ended up at the helm of Tesla, how the company’s founding was more collaborative than widely known, and how Musk’s rise to control was anything but straightforward.

Tesla’s Origins: The Birth of a Vision

Tesla Motors, as it was initially known, was founded in 2003 by two engineers, Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Eberhard, a former software entrepreneur, and Tarpenning, a hardware engineer, set out to create a fully electric vehicle that could challenge the automotive giants like General Motors and Ford. The idea was to prove that electric cars could be powerful, stylish, and, above all, desirable.

In 2004, Tesla had the spark of a promising future, but it was far from the global juggernaut it is today. They developed the Roadster, an all-electric sports car based on the Lotus Elise chassis, and began seeking funding. Enter Elon Musk, who would eventually become the face of the company.

Musk Enters the Picture: The Seed Investor

Musk did not found Tesla, but he certainly played a crucial role in its rise to fame. In 2004, Musk invested $6.5 million of his own fortune into the fledgling electric car company. This was a big bet on the future of sustainable energy, and it was a move that would soon change the course of Tesla’s history.

Musk, who had already made his fortune through PayPal and Zip2, was drawn to Tesla’s bold vision but wasn’t initially involved in the day-to-day operations. He served as chairman of the board, but his role was largely that of an investor at this point. However, his leadership would quickly grow from there.

The Power Struggle: Who Really Built Tesla?

As Tesla started to gain traction, there were growing tensions between the company’s original founders and Musk. The first major battle came in 2007, when Eberhard and Tarpenning were pushed out of the company. Musk, who was increasingly taking over the company’s direction, found himself at odds with the two engineers, particularly Eberhard, over Tesla’s direction and financial challenges.

In 2008, Musk took over as CEO after a series of tumultuous events, including a financial crisis and Tesla’s near-collapse. Musk’s ascension to CEO was part of a larger effort to save the company, but it also marked the beginning of the narrative that he “stole” Tesla. Musk’s leadership was a double-edged sword: while his vision and tenacity were critical to Tesla’s survival, his takeover came at the expense of the company’s original founders.

In 2009, Musk reached a settlement with Eberhard, and as part of the agreement, the company’s founders, Eberhard and Tarpenning, would be credited as “co-founders” of the company in the eyes of the public. Musk was now firmly at the helm, but the history of Tesla had been rewritten. Although Eberhard and Tarpenning still retained equity in the company, they were largely sidelined, and Musk’s name became synonymous with Tesla.

The “Stolen” Credit: Musk’s Public Persona and Tensions with Founders

While many see Musk as the true driving force behind Tesla’s success, the original founders felt differently. Eberhard, in particular, believed that his role in founding the company was minimized in favor of Musk’s public persona. This led to a legal battle, with Eberhard suing Musk and Tesla for defamation and breach of contract in 2009. The lawsuit was eventually settled out of court, but it left a bitter taste for those who had helped build the company from the ground up.

Musk’s path to becoming the face of Tesla was far from straightforward. He did not simply create a groundbreaking idea or product from scratch. Instead, he invested heavily, took control during a difficult period, and aggressively maneuvered to cement his role as the leader of a company with massive potential. While Musk’s vision for electric vehicles and renewable energy was crucial to Tesla’s rise, the company’s early history remains a contentious story about leadership, ownership, and recognition.

Musk’s Vision: Driving Tesla to the Top

Despite the controversy surrounding his rise to control Tesla, Musk undeniably turned the company into a global powerhouse. Under his leadership, Tesla has grown from a niche electric vehicle maker into a multi-billion-dollar company, fundamentally changing the car industry and pushing the world toward a future of sustainable energy.

Tesla’s first major success came with the launch of the Model S in 2012, a sleek and innovative electric sedan that captivated the market. The company then expanded its offerings with the Model X, Model 3, and Model Y, all of which helped solidify Tesla’s dominance in the electric vehicle market. Tesla has also made strides in energy storage, solar power, and autonomous driving, becoming a leader in green technologies and beyond.

Musk’s leadership has been characterized by his willingness to take risks, his aggressive marketing strategies, and his unwavering belief in the potential of Tesla to change the world. While his approach has been controversial at times, there’s no doubt that his vision has reshaped the future of transportation and sustainable energy.

The Legacy of Tesla: Elon Musk’s Complex Role

The true story of Tesla is one of collaboration, vision, ambition, and controversy. Elon Musk may not have founded the company, but he undeniably helped it grow and transform into the industry leader it is today. His rise to the top, however, came with a significant cost to the original founders, particularly Martin Eberhard, who felt that his role in creating Tesla was unfairly overlooked. Musk’s “takeover” of the company may have been legally justified, but it remains a point of contention for those who helped give birth to the idea.

While Tesla’s success is often attributed to Musk’s relentless drive and ability to attract investors, the company’s story is a reminder that building a global business is rarely a straightforward journey. In the case of Tesla, Musk’s “theft” of the company’s leadership may have been more about timing, financial acumen, and a bold vision for the future than any nefarious intent. But for many, the true story behind Tesla’s rise remains a testament to how fortune, timing, and control can converge to change the world—whether it’s fair or not.

Conclusion: A Complicated Legacy

Elon Musk’s connection to Tesla is undeniable, but the “real story” of how he came to control the company is far more nuanced than the popular narrative suggests. While Musk’s genius and leadership have played a pivotal role in Tesla’s success, the company’s origins and the struggles of its original founders serve as a reminder that business is rarely a straightforward story of heroism and innovation. For many, Musk’s leadership is both an asset and a source of controversy—and the debate over how he “stole” Tesla is one that will continue to shape the company’s legacy for years to come.