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Hero Worship Welcome to the entrepreneurial hall of fame. You can't touch these exhibits.

By Thaddeus Wawro

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Few will argue that the 20th century was an era of unprecedentedprogress, growth and accomplishment. Where would we be todaywithout the visionaries and dreamers, innovators and inventors,mavericks and rebels, trailblazers and pioneers? The world as weknow it--and that which we will live in tomorrow--has been shapedin large part by men and women who knew how to use their talent,drive, ingenuity and desire to make dreams cometrue . . . and influence the course ofhistory.

The four entrepreneurs to follow represent not only archetypesof 20th-century achievement, but also very human examples whofaced--and overcame--the same kinds of obstacles we all do in lifeand business.