[sfrechtling]

I don't know if there is an engineer who is able to invent a new form of energy and a complete weapon while captured by the taliban, so no I do not think there is an exact analogue.

However, the film makers have claimed to use Elon Musk as inspiration for Tony Stark in the new Iron Man movies (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10544247/Meet-tec...)

[bishes]

Yes, there is no exact model of Tony. But I am not asking for one. Yes, Elon Musk is quite the real-life iron man, except inventing a ground-breaking energy technology, and a hi-tech death machine. Plus, he is more of a science guy turned entrepreneur. I only ask about the engineering mind set and skills that a person needs to tinker and invent at a sophisticated level.