Vern Estes

Estes's family produced fireworks before G. Harry Stine and Orville Carlisle approached him in 1959 to produce model rocket motors for their company Model Missiles Incorporated. Vern created a machine he called "Mabel" which was able to produce almost a dozen model rocket motors in a minute.

After Model Missiles went out of business, Estes formed Estes Industries to manufacture and market rocket kits and motors.

Estes is the largest model rocket company. Although Vern Estes sold his interst in the company in 1969, he has remained active in model rocketry.

References:

• Vernon Estes (Miscellaneous)
• Estes Industries (Miscellaneous)
• Estes (Miscellaneous)
• Gleda Estes (Miscellaneous)
• Big Bertha (Miscellaneous)
• Estes's "Mabel" Produces Its First Motor (January 16, 1959) - Vern Estes's "Mabel," the first automated model rocket motor making machine, produced it's first production motor on January 16, 1959. During the first production run, the machine produced 500 motors to which were sold to Model Missiles, Inc. for seven cents each.
• Gleda and Vern Estes Receive Award from the Boy Scouts in 1973 (Picture)

Links:

• Official Web Site