Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me: Individuals Who Changed the World, for Better or Worse
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Image: The Cove Collective
What do Leonardo Da Vinci, Karl Marx and
Madonna have in common? The answer is
that they are all individuals whose actions
have left their mark on the world, from
groundbreaking technological and artistic
innovations to global revolutions.
Here are some remarkable figures across
history who have, for better or worse, shaped
our societies into what they are today.
In the early days, the most influential individuals were the ones who showed us how to think about and measure the world.
Mathematician Al-Khwārizmī is one such example. His written works revolutionised mathematics – they introduced the Hindu-Arabic number system to the Western world, which we still use in our daily lives today.
He also invented algebra, algorithms and calculus, which we now use in architecture and aeronautics.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsMathematician Al-Khwārizmī is one such example. His written works revolutionised mathematics – they introduced the Hindu-Arabic number system to the Western world, which we still use in our daily lives today.
He also invented algebra, algorithms and calculus, which we now use in architecture and aeronautics.
During the age of empires, it was kings and emperors who rose to fame.
13th-century Mongol ruler Genghis Khan is most famous today for his brutal regime. His rampage across Central Asia, China, Poland and even Syria killed over 40 million people.
However, his reign was not all bloody. Under him, the first international postal system was invented, allowing mail and goods to be transported with groundbreaking efficiency.
Image: Wikimedia Commons13th-century Mongol ruler Genghis Khan is most famous today for his brutal regime. His rampage across Central Asia, China, Poland and even Syria killed over 40 million people.
However, his reign was not all bloody. Under him, the first international postal system was invented, allowing mail and goods to be transported with groundbreaking efficiency.
When the Renaissance period arrived, those who created art gained eternal fame.
Even 500 years after his death, Leonardo da Vinci remains influential in both the art and science worlds. His unique techniques and artistic talents produced the most famous painting in the world, the Mona Lisa, and influenced artists such as Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol.
More recently, his anatomical drawings have inspired the invention of heart surgery machines.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsEven 500 years after his death, Leonardo da Vinci remains influential in both the art and science worlds. His unique techniques and artistic talents produced the most famous painting in the world, the Mona Lisa, and influenced artists such as Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol.
More recently, his anatomical drawings have inspired the invention of heart surgery machines.
1,700 words in the English dictionary were also invented by an artist: William Shakespeare, the literary genius who changed English forever. His 16th-century works introduced words and phrases into the language which are now commonly used, like "lonely", "generous" and "break the ice".
Of course, his plays – such as Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth – are also widely known today, and have been translated into over 80 languages.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsOf course, his plays – such as Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth – are also widely known today, and have been translated into over 80 languages.
As science and technology advanced, their pioneers made breakthroughs and found fame.
In the early 1900s, the elements radium and polonium were discovered by Polish scientist Marie Curie. She was awarded two Nobel Prizes – one in Chemistry for her discoveries of the two elements, and one in Physics for the work she and her husband had done on radioactivity.
Her groundbreaking studies have led to scientific advancements in cancer treatment and X-ray machinery.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsIn the early 1900s, the elements radium and polonium were discovered by Polish scientist Marie Curie. She was awarded two Nobel Prizes – one in Chemistry for her discoveries of the two elements, and one in Physics for the work she and her husband had done on radioactivity.
Her groundbreaking studies have led to scientific advancements in cancer treatment and X-ray machinery.
Millions of GIFs are produced today, but did you know the first moving image was created by photographer Eadweard Muybridge?
In the 1800s, when technology began to evolve, Muybridge set out to prove that horses lift all four feet above the ground while running. To do this, he captured frame-by-frame sequences of moving animals. Later, he invented the zoopraxiscope, the first projector to show live movement with photographs.
Undeniably, his work has pioneered cinematography and animation as we know it today.
In the 1800s, when technology began to evolve, Muybridge set out to prove that horses lift all four feet above the ground while running. To do this, he captured frame-by-frame sequences of moving animals. Later, he invented the zoopraxiscope, the first projector to show live movement with photographs.
Undeniably, his work has pioneered cinematography and animation as we know it today.
Image: Wikimedia Commons (1), (2)
Great political thinkers were later revered for their ideas.
Few ideologies have been as influential as the one thought up by Karl Marx. His 18th-century publication the Communist Manifesto conveyed a vision for a more equal society. It radically transformed how the world understood the economy and society.
Today, Marxism is a mixed bag. It has inspired unions and workers’ rights movements, but also informed the mindsets of ruthless leaders like Vladimir Stalin. Regardless, it – and Marx – remains one of the giants of modern thought.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsFew ideologies have been as influential as the one thought up by Karl Marx. His 18th-century publication the Communist Manifesto conveyed a vision for a more equal society. It radically transformed how the world understood the economy and society.
Today, Marxism is a mixed bag. It has inspired unions and workers’ rights movements, but also informed the mindsets of ruthless leaders like Vladimir Stalin. Regardless, it – and Marx – remains one of the giants of modern thought.
More people soon became involved in political thought, and activists quickly found their place in the spotlight.
The independence of many countries from their colonial masters can be traced back to activist Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi headed a non-violent movement against the British called Satyagraha, boycotting goods and holding peaceful protests. Under his influence, India obtained independence.
His movement inspired many colonies in their fight for freedom, sparking a global age of liberation.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsThe independence of many countries from their colonial masters can be traced back to activist Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi headed a non-violent movement against the British called Satyagraha, boycotting goods and holding peaceful protests. Under his influence, India obtained independence.
His movement inspired many colonies in their fight for freedom, sparking a global age of liberation.
The face of the Civil Rights movement against the oppression of African Americans is undoubtedly Rosa Parks. Her refusal to give up her seat to a white American on a racially segregated public bus led to her arrest, which sparked the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott. Because of her act of resistance, campaigns for racial equality sprang up. These led to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Today, Parks is an international symbol for the fight against racial discrimination.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsToday, Parks is an international symbol for the fight against racial discrimination.
Some changes to the world happened behind the scenes. As space became a focus and fascination for the world, unsung heroes worked in the flight control rooms to make space travel possible.
Katherine Johnson was an African-American mathematician whose calculations made the Apollo 11 Moon landing mission safe and successful. She overcame great racial and gender discrimination, and paved the way forward for women in STEM.
Her contribution to space exploration was commemorated in the 2016 movie Hidden Figures.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsKatherine Johnson was an African-American mathematician whose calculations made the Apollo 11 Moon landing mission safe and successful. She overcame great racial and gender discrimination, and paved the way forward for women in STEM.
Her contribution to space exploration was commemorated in the 2016 movie Hidden Figures.
If you've ever wondered why airport security is so strict all over the world, it is all due to one man: Osama bin Laden, the leader of militant organisation al-Qaeda. The September 11 terrorist attacks that he orchestrated killed over 3,000 people, making him infamous across the world.
This event led to the Global War on Terrorism by the U.S. Armed Forces, and bin Laden became the world’s most wanted fugitive. Airports started banning knives and razor blades on aircrafts, as well as doing X-ray scans of luggage – measures still enforced globally today.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsThis event led to the Global War on Terrorism by the U.S. Armed Forces, and bin Laden became the world’s most wanted fugitive. Airports started banning knives and razor blades on aircrafts, as well as doing X-ray scans of luggage – measures still enforced globally today.
In the 2000s, there was uproar about the militant authority, the Taliban, in Pakistan. It was there that Malala Yousafzai’s fight against gender discrimination nearly cost her her life. Under the Taliban’s oppressive rule, Malala was targeted and shot in the head for spotlighting women’s struggles in a 2009 documentary.
Her survival was a feat of resilience and courage that inspired the world, and she now works with the United Nations for a brighter, more equal future for women.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsHer survival was a feat of resilience and courage that inspired the world, and she now works with the United Nations for a brighter, more equal future for women.
As the entertainment industry grew, performers became household names.
Long before Taylor Swift made “eras” her trademark, Madonna captivated the world as an unapologetic female popstar who constantly reinvented herself. Her bold lyrics, fashion and dance moves defied the conservative norms of the 80s. This ‘‘Queen of Pop” went on to sell over 300 million records worldwide.
Today, her legacy lives on in global superstars like Beyonce, Rihanna and Lady Gaga.
Image: Wikimedia CommonsLong before Taylor Swift made “eras” her trademark, Madonna captivated the world as an unapologetic female popstar who constantly reinvented herself. Her bold lyrics, fashion and dance moves defied the conservative norms of the 80s. This ‘‘Queen of Pop” went on to sell over 300 million records worldwide.
Today, her legacy lives on in global superstars like Beyonce, Rihanna and Lady Gaga.
Today, it looks as though AI will be the next big thing, and Sam Altman is at the frontline of its development. As one of the founders and the current CEO of OpenAI, it is thanks to him that ChatGPT and other AI is rapidly advancing and becoming more successful.
A leading figure in the rise of AI, he is changing the world of data and information as we know it.
Image: FlickrA leading figure in the rise of AI, he is changing the world of data and information as we know it.
As the world continues to change, the individuals who make a difference to it will change with it. How they make their difference will evolve, too.
Will the next person who revolutionises the world do so through their invention of flying cars? Or will we know their name because of their success in finding a cure for cancer?
Image: PexelsWill the next person who revolutionises the world do so through their invention of flying cars? Or will we know their name because of their success in finding a cure for cancer?
Which individual will transform the world next, and how will they change history?