Wilton Knight was an American businessman and the founder of the Knight Industries company. He is best known for creating the iconic character Michael Knight in the popular television series Knight Rider, which aired in the 1980s. The show featured a high-tech car named KITT that could talk and assist its driver in solving crimes. Knight's vision for the series was to combine action with advanced technology, capturing the imagination of viewers. His work contributed to the popularity of the show, which became a cultural phenomenon and has influenced various media since its original run.