Evel Knievel, 1938-2007Surfing around, I see news reports that Evel Knievel has died. Back in the 1970’s, at the height of his popularity, it would have been hard to overestimate the number of ten- to twelve-year old boys who didn’t have fantasies of being this most daring of daredevils. Makeshift wooden ramps sprouted in driveways and backyards and became our Caesar’s Palaces and Wembley Stadiums (without the broken bones, mostly).

Evel’s hard life seems to have caught up with him, though now he’s made the longest jump of all.