Contemporary Polymaths – Who is F Story Musgrave?
Dr. Franklin R. "Story" Musgrave is an exemplar of the modern polymath. His career trajectory—spanning medicine, aerospace engineering, space exploration, and even creative consulting—challenges the traditional boundaries of professional expertise. Musgrave’s interdisciplinary approach and exceptional breadth of knowledge make him a quintessential polymath, someone whose contributions extend far beyond any single discipline, yet whose integration of diverse fields produces insights that transcend the sum of their parts.
Before we explore Musgrave the polymath, we must review his career highlights as it gives a fascinating insight into the man himself, and acts as context for the discussion of a truly remarkable interdisciplinary career.
Musgrave dropped out of high school in his senior year when a car accident "caused him to miss a substantial amount of vital pre-graduation exam schooling."
Musgrave enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1953, and served as an aviation electrician, instrument technician and aircraft crew chief.
While serving in the Marines, he completed his General Educational Development (GED) tests equivalent to a high school diploma
After leaving the Marines, Musgrave received a BSc in mathematics and statistics from Syracuse University in 1958 and then worked for Eastman Kodak as a mathematician.
He went on to receive an MBA from UCLA in 1959, a BSc degree in chemistry from Marietta College in 1960, and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1964.
Musgrave served a surgical internship at the University of Kentucky Medical Center from 1964 to 1965 and continued there as a USAF postdoctoral fellow (1965–1966), working in aerospace medicine and physiology, and as a National Heart Institute postdoctoral fellow (1966–1967), teaching and researching cardiovascular and exercise physiology.
In 1966, he earned an MSc in physiology and biophysics.
From 1967 to 1989, he practiced clinical medicine on a part-time basis at Denver General Hospital and served as an adjunct instructor of physiology and biophysics at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.
Musgrave was selected as a scientist-astronaut by NASA in August 1967 as a member of NASA Astronaut Group 6 and worked on the design and development of the Skylab Program. He also participated in the design and development of all Space Shuttle extra-vehicular activity equipment, including spacesuits, life support systems, airlocks and Manned Maneuvering Units.
From 1979 to 1982, and 1983 to 1984, he was assigned as a test and verification pilot in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory at JSC
Musgrave served as a CAPCOM for seven NASA missions and was a mission specialist on five shuttle flights missions from 1983 to 1996 and the payload commander on another in 1993. Musgrave has spent a total of 1,281 hours, 59 minutes, 22 seconds on space missions, including nearly 27 hours of EVA. Prior to 1998 Musgrave held the record for the oldest person in orbit at age 61. He retired from NASA in 1997, after 30 years as an astronaut.
Whilst at NASA Musgrave also earned an MA in literature from the University of Houston–Clear Lake in 1987.
Although he did not qualify as a pilot until completing his stipulated astronaut training, Musgrave has flown 17,700 hours in 160 different types of civilian and military aircraft, including 7,500 hours in jet aircraft. He has earned FAA ratings for instructor, instrument instructor, glider instructor, and airline transport pilot in addition to astronaut wings. An accomplished parachutist, he has made more than 800 free falls, including over 100 experimental free-fall descents involved with the study of human aerodynamics.
There is a Tedx with Musgrave at Wellesley College which is worth watching, in which he outlines his philosophy as ‘don’t ask who is going to let you, ask who is going to stop you’!
After retiring from NASA, Musgrave has been involved in entrepreneurship, particularly in healthcare and technology ventures. His medical background has allowed him to contribute to innovations in those fields. He has developed an interest in art, particularly aerospace art, and often integrates his scientific and engineering background with creative endeavors. His passion for photography and visual storytelling allows him to share his experiences in space in a unique and personal way. Musgrave has also been involved in teaching and mentorship, sharing his experiences and guiding the next generation of engineers, astronauts, and scientists. He believes strongly in the value of education and often participates in outreach programs, inspiring students to pursue careers in STEM.
“I have a great relationship with animals, and with children. I get to their level. I try to see the way a child looks at the world, it's hugely different” F Story Musgrave
The Core of Musgrave’s Polymathy: Bridging Disciplines
Musgrave's polymathic nature extends beyond his scientific and technical achievements. After retiring from NASA, he continued to bridge multiple fields, offering his expertise to creative industries such as Disney’s Imagineering group and Applied Minds in California. In both of these roles, Musgrave applied his interdisciplinary knowledge to the worlds of entertainment and design, working to create cutting-edge experiences that blend technological innovation with human-centered design. His work with Disney, for example, underscores his ability to apply high-level technical knowledge to the creation of immersive, interactive environments—a task that requires not just technical mastery but also creativity and imagination. Similarly, his work with Applied Minds allowed him to contribute to the design of innovative solutions in fields as diverse as healthcare, technology, and education, drawing on his ability to think beyond the traditional confines of any single industry
At the heart of Musgrave’s polymathy is his ability to transcend disciplinary boundaries. His background in medicine and engineering allowed him to approach complex problems with a holistic view, one that considered not just the technical aspects of a problem but also the human experience involved in its resolution. This ability to see connections between seemingly unrelated fields is the hallmark of a polymath.
In the context of his role as a NASA astronaut, Musgrave demonstrated how integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines can lead to groundbreaking solutions. When tasked with repairing the Hubble Space Telescope, he drew not only on his engineering expertise but also on his medical training to understand how the body would respond to the stresses of space travel and perform delicate tasks in zero gravity. The repair mission was a success precisely because Musgrave was able to draw from multiple domains—engineering, medicine, and human performance—to devise a solution that was both technically sound and feasible within the context of the astronauts' physical limitations in space.
Lessons for Business from Musgrave’s Polymathy
1. The Power of Interdisciplinary Thinking
Musgrave’s success underscores the immense value of combining knowledge from different fields. The ability to think across disciplines allows for the creation of solutions that are not only technically sound but also human-centered, creative, and adaptable. In business, this type of interdisciplinary thinking is increasingly critical as challenges become more complex and interconnected.
Business leaders who encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration within their teams can foster innovation that would be difficult to achieve in isolated departments. For example, blending technical expertise with marketing insights can result in more effective product development, while combining insights from design and engineering can lead to more user-friendly and functional technologies. Leaders who are open to diverse perspectives—whether from within their organization or outside it—will be better positioned to tackle the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
2. Creativity as a Bridge Between Disciplines
Musgrave’s work with Disney Imagineering highlights another key lesson: the importance of creativity in bridging technical and human-centered design. Musgrave’s ability to move between the rigorous, data-driven world of engineering and the emotionally resonant world of creative design underscores the value of creative thinking in business. Today’s most successful innovations often lie at the intersection of technology and creativity, where data meets human emotion, and functionality meets storytelling.
Companies that emphasize the intersection of creativity and technical expertise are more likely to create products and services that resonate deeply with their audiences. Encouraging creative thinking, even within traditionally technical or data-driven roles, can lead to more innovative solutions that are both practical and emotionally engaging. In industries like entertainment, healthcare, and technology, where user experience and emotional connection are paramount, this interdisciplinary approach is especially valuable.
3. Resilience and Problem-Solving Under Pressure
Musgrave’s ability to solve complex problems in high-pressure situations is another key lesson for business leaders. During his time as an astronaut, particularly during the Hubble repair mission, Musgrave was faced with unprecedented challenges that required both technical expertise and an unflappable mindset. The ability to maintain focus under extreme pressure and draw on a diverse set of skills to solve problems was crucial to his success.
Resilience is a crucial trait for any business leader. Being able to remain calm, adaptive, and focused during moments of crisis, while drawing on a broad range of knowledge to find solutions, is essential in today’s volatile business environment. Leaders who cultivate resilience—both in themselves and within their teams—are more likely to navigate uncertainty successfully and emerge stronger from challenges.
4. Lifelong Learning and Adaptability
Musgrave’s career is a testament to the power of lifelong learning. He never stopped acquiring new knowledge or pursuing new challenges. Even after reaching the pinnacle of space exploration, Musgrave continued to push the boundaries of his expertise by consulting in industries as varied as healthcare, entertainment, and design. His ability to remain adaptable, learning from each new environment and applying that knowledge in innovative ways, is a central tenet of his polymathic success.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of today’s business world, leaders must foster a culture of continuous learning. Professionals who embrace lifelong learning, constantly evolving their skill sets and adapting to new trends, are more likely to remain competitive. Encouraging employees to pursue a variety of learning opportunities—whether through formal education, mentorship, or cross-functional projects—can help organizations stay ahead of the curve in innovation and problem-solving.
In his TEDx talk, what really comes across is Musgrave’s innate curiosity … always exploring. Always striving to understand why.
“Getting out of the comfortable path, that's what exploration is all about”. F Story Musgrave
Story Musgrave’s polymathic career offers a powerful model for how diverse skills and interdisciplinary thinking can lead to profound innovation and success. His ability to combine expertise from fields as varied as medicine, engineering, space exploration, and creative design provides a blueprint for how individuals and organizations can thrive in a world that increasingly demands versatility, adaptability, and creativity. For today’s business leaders, Musgrave’s career serves as a reminder that true innovation often emerges from the intersection of different disciplines, and that continuous learning, creativity, and resilience are key to navigating the complexities of the modern business landscape. By embracing the polymathic mindset, businesses can unlock new avenues for growth, problem-solving, and innovation, positioning themselves to succeed in an ever-changing world.