July 03

Hetty Green was an American businesswoman and financier renowned for her astute investment strategies. Born in 1834 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, she inherited a substantial fortune as a young woman. Green built her wealth through shrewd investments in railroads, real estate, and government bonds, often reinvesting her profits. Nicknamed the 'Witch of Wall Street' for her frugality and fierce reputation, she became one of the richest women in America. Her unconventional lifestyle and business acumen challenged gender norms of her era. Green's legacy endures as a symbol of financial independence and determination.

André Citroën was a visionary French engineer and industrialist who established the Citroën automobile company in 1919. Born in Paris in 1878, he studied at the École Polytechnique and gained experience in armaments manufacturing. After World War I, he applied mass production techniques to car manufacturing, introducing the affordable Type A model. Citroën pioneered bold marketing strategies, including the famous Eiffel Tower advertising. Under his leadership, the company advanced front-wheel drive technology and double helical gears. His innovations laid the foundation for Citroën's reputation as an automotive trailblazer.

Jacob Schick was a Canadian-born American inventor and entrepreneur best known for inventing the first electric razor. Born in Ontario in 1877, he served as a captain in the Canadian Army during World War I. Noting the need for a convenient shaving solution for soldiers, he developed a hand-cranked prototype before creating a motorized version. In 1928 he founded the Schick Dry Shaver Company, bringing electric shaving to the consumer market. His patented design revolutionized personal grooming and spawned a global industry. Schick's legacy remains in everyday electric shavers used worldwide.