These ten people rose from next-to-nothing to the pinnacle of the American Dream, building not only fame and fortune but also leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s history.
The list celebrates individuals throughout history who have shaped American business through grit and innovation, exemplifying the American Dream.
This list celebrates individuals who embody the American Dream by reshaping business and proving that anyone can make it to the top.
To celebrate America’s Greatest Innovators, read a classic conversation with the Wizard of Menlo Park.
These trailblazing women on our ranking of America’s 250 Greatest Innovators helped get the world connected.
See the full list of America’s Greatest Historic Innovators and the mark they left on our history. Uncover the legends who helped shape our present and future.
Our methodology began in the newsroom and tapped both expert judges and AI systems.
The Forbes Innovator 250: America’s Greatest Innovators showcases the visionaries shaping our future. Find the full list of great minds and the mark they are leaving on our history.
Our upcoming ranking of America’s 250 Greatest Innovators is aimed at those who were able to commercialize their innovations, but these less fortunate inventors also changed the world—even though they didn’t personally benefit.
In honor of America’s 250th birthday, Forbes is ranking the nation’s greatest innovators—from Thomas Edison to Elon Musk—through the lens of entrepreneurial capitalism. We spotlight not just inventors, but the business leaders who have creatively disru…