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I'm talking about influence not fame. They aren't the same.
Brunel, like James Watt, is well known in Britain but no longer influential.
The Rockefeller trust is one of the most influential NGOs in the world. It has a major influence on Western government policies - particularly the environment. The Carnegie Trust still has a major influence in Scottish education. Whether the average person has ever heard of either man is not important.
Alfred Nobel only became a benefactor because his obituary was published by mistake in a Paris newspaper. When he discovered he was considered one of the most evil men in the world (because his explosives were used for warfare) he decided to promote peace.
Jobs will have no influence at all beyond the next Apple product cycle. The Gates Foundation will probably still be highly influential in another 100 years time.
Member since:
2009-05-19
Rockefeller are on the sidelines of history and Steve will be there too. He's already going there like a bullet. Do you know who T J Watson was? And it's only 60 years after his death.
And who the hell is Carnegie? I though it was the town CMU is in.
For all the biggest names in the 19th century, we only remember one businessman - Nobel. Brits will probably add Brunel.