Rockefeller gradually turned his focus towards charitable services after retirement. Though many people criticized this to be an act to cover up his aggressive business practices, he was calculative and gave charity through foundations by thus providing a systematic approach to targeted philanthropy.

Andrew Carnegie

Quote: “No person will make a great business who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit.”

Areas: Steel and Iron

Andrew Carnegie always believed that the rich have the moral responsibility of giving away their fortunes to the poor and the needy. Carnegie foresaw the future demand of steel and iron, at a time when most bridges and railroads were made out of wood. He used various new strategies and techniques that helped the United States of America surpass United Kingdom. in steel production. Carnegie attributed his success to various people and ensured that he placed the right people in the right positions. It is also recorded that he suggested his own epitaph “Here lies a man who was able to surround himself with men far cleverer than himself.”  

Cyrus McCormick

Quote: "One step at a time, the hardest one first."

Areas: Agriculture

Cyrus McCormick is the founder of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and also a renowned American inventor. Though he is credited with the invention of the mechanical reaper, he gave the credit away to his father, his slave and many other American and Scottish men. He is also known to be the father of modern agriculture. He struggled hard to attract capitalists and financers who would fund his entrepreneurial idea, salesmen who could market and deliver his product to farmers. With this invention, farmers were able to double their production and thus by contributing to the prosperity of United States making it an agriculture super power.