August 08

Born in 1879 in Queensland, Fergus McMaster began his career as a grazier before turning to aviation. In 1920, he co-founded Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services, later known as Qantas. As chairman, he guided the airline through its formative years, overseeing the introduction of mail and passenger routes. Under McMaster's leadership, Qantas expanded its fleet and reputation, weathering challenges like the Great Depression. He retired after four decades at the helm and died in 1950, leaving a legacy as a pioneer of Australian aviation.

Eric Brandon was born in 1920 in England and developed a passion for motorsport at a young age. He began his racing career in the late 1940s, quickly earning a reputation for skill and consistency. In 1952, he co-founded the HWM (Hersham and Walton Motors) team, one of the first British entries in Formula One. Under his leadership, HWM became a platform for emerging drivers and engineers. Brandon balanced his racing activities with a successful business career in automotive engineering. He retired from racing in the mid-1950s and remained an influential figure in British motorsport.

John H. Johnson (1918–2005) was a pioneering African-American publisher and entrepreneur. He launched Ebony in 1945 and Jet in 1951, creating platforms that celebrated Black culture and achievements. His Johnson Publishing Company grew into one of the most successful minority-owned businesses in the U.S. Johnson broke barriers in media representation and advocated for civil rights through his publications. He received numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.