August 08

Albert Henry Stanley, 1st Baron Ashfield, was a leading figure in early 20th-century British transport and politics. As Managing Director of the Underground Electric Railways Company of London, he oversaw significant expansion of the Tube network. In 1916, he entered government service as Minister of Transport, later becoming President of the Board of Trade in 1924. Raised to the peerage in 1918, Ashfield balanced corporate leadership with public duties. He championed infrastructure development, economic reconstruction, and international trade policies. His innovations in railway management influenced urban transit systems worldwide. Ashfield’s dual legacy endures in London’s transport network and British commercial practices.

Connie Stevens gained fame through her performances on television series such as Hawaiian Eye and in feature films. In addition to her acting career, she established successful business ventures in the beauty and hair-care sectors. A talented singer, she released recordings and appeared on variety programs. Over six decades, she has balanced entertainment projects with entrepreneurial endeavors and philanthropic activities. Her versatility has made her a lasting figure in American popular culture.

Dennis Tito earned his engineering degree and founded Wilshire Associates in 1972, pioneering financial analytics and asset management solutions. In 2001, he made history as the world's first self-funded space tourist aboard a Soyuz spacecraft bound for the International Space Station. His journey opened the door to commercial spaceflight and inspired private-sector involvement in space exploration. Beyond his groundbreaking space voyage, he has engaged in philanthropic efforts supporting education and scientific research. Tito's career bridges engineering innovation and pioneering ventures in space.

Ken Kutaragi started at Sony in the 1970s, working on digital signal processing hardware for audio devices. His vision for a powerful home video game system led to the development of the original PlayStation, launched in 1994. Under his leadership, Sony Interactive Entertainment released successive consoles, redefining the gaming industry. Kutaragi's pioneering work introduced CD-based gaming and 3D graphics to a mainstream audience. He later served as president of Sony Computer Entertainment before retiring in 2007, leaving a lasting legacy.