Joshua Haldeman died in a crash during a practice flight in 1974. Elon was a toddler. Though not directly influenced, echoes of Joshua’s technocratic ideals, anti-mainstream instincts, and defiant worldview may still ripple through his legacy.
Joshua Haldeman died in a crash during a practice flight in 1974. Elon was a toddler. Though not directly influenced, echoes of Joshua’s technocratic ideals, anti-mainstream instincts, and defiant worldview may still ripple through his legacy.
Despite his politics, he remained a respected chiropractor—leading South Africa’s chiropractic association for years. He was also an aviation enthusiast, logging thousands of miles in private flights and searching for the “Lost City of the Kalahari.”
Despite his politics, he remained a respected chiropractor—leading South Africa’s chiropractic association for years. He was also an aviation enthusiast, logging thousands of miles in private flights and searching for the “Lost City of the Kalahari.”
After the Sharpeville Massacre (1960), in which 69 unarmed Black South Africans were killed by police, Haldeman doubled down. He published a 42-page tract titled The International Conspiracy to Establish a World Dictatorship…
After the Sharpeville Massacre (1960), in which 69 unarmed Black South Africans were killed by police, Haldeman doubled down. He published a 42-page tract titled The International Conspiracy to Establish a World Dictatorship…
Privately and publicly, he said he admired the newly installed Apartheid regime, which came to power with the National Party’s 1948 victory. Its white supremacist, Christian-nationalist, and anti-communist stance appealed to him deeply.
Privately and publicly, he said he admired the newly installed Apartheid regime, which came to power with the National Party’s 1948 victory. Its white supremacist, Christian-nationalist, and anti-communist stance appealed to him deeply.
He ran for parliament in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, but lost, receiving 4.3% of the vote. In 1947, he claimed Hitler had been installed by “Jewish money.” By 1949, he had resigned as chairman of the party’s national council. Privately, he was also an aviator, a boxer and wrestler.
He ran for parliament in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, but lost, receiving 4.3% of the vote. In 1947, he claimed Hitler had been installed by “Jewish money.” By 1949, he had resigned as chairman of the party’s national council. Privately, he was also an aviator, a boxer and wrestler.
Errol Musk, Elon’s father, later claimed Joshua sympathized with Nazi Germany. While Joshua publicly avoided overt antisemitism, he did defend the party’s newspaper, which published “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” a well-known antisemitic forgery.
Errol Musk, Elon’s father, later claimed Joshua sympathized with Nazi Germany. While Joshua publicly avoided overt antisemitism, he did defend the party’s newspaper, which published “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” a well-known antisemitic forgery.
He joined the Saskatchewan Farmer’s Political Association in 1928, advocating for rural and economic reform. In 1936, he became a vocal supporter of technocracy—the idea that engineers and scientists should govern society, not politicians.
He joined the Saskatchewan Farmer’s Political Association in 1928, advocating for rural and economic reform. In 1936, he became a vocal supporter of technocracy—the idea that engineers and scientists should govern society, not politicians.
He married Winnifred Fletcher in 1924. They had three children and lived what seemed a robust, ambitious life. But Joshua's interests extended beyond health. He began to engage with political movements in Saskatchewan by the late 1920s.
He married Winnifred Fletcher in 1924. They had three children and lived what seemed a robust, ambitious life. But Joshua's interests extended beyond health. He began to engage with political movements in Saskatchewan by the late 1920s.
Instead of practicing, he first turned to farming—until he lost his job during the Great Depression. He worked as a cowboy and rodeo performer, before returning to chiropractic. His new practice thrived and grew into one of the largest in Canada.
Instead of practicing, he first turned to farming—until he lost his job during the Great Depression. He worked as a cowboy and rodeo performer, before returning to chiropractic. His new practice thrived and grew into one of the largest in Canada.
Joshua’s academic journey was unconventional: he attended nine different colleges and universities, but graduated from only one—the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Iowa. He was particularly drawn to Palmer’s “neurocalometer,” a pseudoscientific device.
Joshua’s academic journey was unconventional: he attended nine different colleges and universities, but graduated from only one—the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Iowa. He was particularly drawn to Palmer’s “neurocalometer,” a pseudoscientific device.
Today, let's talk about Elon #Musk's maternal grandfather, Joshua Haldeman.
The Haldeman family originated in the Swiss village of Signau, Bern, traceable to 1544. In the 17th century, they converted from Protestantism to Anabaptism—then a popular but persecuted movement.
Today, let's talk about Elon #Musk's maternal grandfather, Joshua Haldeman.
The Haldeman family originated in the Swiss village of Signau, Bern, traceable to 1544. In the 17th century, they converted from Protestantism to Anabaptism—then a popular but persecuted movement.
Joshua Haldeman believed scientists should rule the world.
He was arrested, ran for office, praised apartheid, and idolized white rule.
He was also Elon Musk’s grandfather.
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Joshua Haldeman believed scientists should rule the world.
He was arrested, ran for office, praised apartheid, and idolized white rule.
He was also Elon Musk’s grandfather.
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