John Carmack was born on August 20th, 1970 and is a prolific figure in the video game industry. His most recognized achievements have been his co-founding of id Software, and the programming of Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, and Quake. He has invented many graphic algorithms including "surface-caching".

John Carmack is also an avid rocketry enthusiast and founded Armadillo Aerospace, which has compete for the ANSARI X Prize. After the prize was won, the company, led and largely funded by Carmack, is looking towards orbital spaceflight.