8.05 Notable Americans

Charles Drew - Blood transfusions

Developed process for storing and
preserving blood plasma (has all the
vitamins/nutrients)

Headed organization for plasma bank
for soldiers during WWII

Resigned his post over racist policies

Protested segregation of blood samples
and segregation of soldiers

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J. Robert Oppenheimer - Father of the Atomic Bomb

Physicist and member of Los Alamos
Laboratory team

Team was part of Manhattan Project who
developed nuclear weapons during
WWII

“Now, I am become Death, the destroyer
of worlds.”

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Frank Lloyd Wright - Architecture

Architect known for imagination

Known for ultramodern designs

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Martha Graham - Dance

Modern dance and choreography

Founded Martha Graham Dance School -
oldest in U.S.

Her influence on dance is like Frank Lloyd
Wright’s on the modern American home

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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. - Academics

First African American to receive a Ph.D
from Cambridge University

Author of many books, articles, essays

Known for his extensive research of
African American history and literature
and for developing the African American
studies program at Harvard University

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Maya Angelou - Literature

Author, poet, and civil rights activist

Known for autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird
Sings - discovering self-confidence as a young African
American woman

Read poem at President Clinton’s inauguration

Dr. Angelou served on two Presidential committees and
has received over 30 honorary degrees

Still I Rise - self-respect, confidence, and overcoming
anything

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Bill Gates - Economics

Co-founded Microsoft (originally Micro-Soft
for microprocessors and software) w/ best
friend Paul Allen

Impossible to calculate the economic impact of
Microsoft (all businesses depend on it or some
competitor)

He and wife Melinda have pledged to give 95%
of their wealth to charity - Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation - focus on public health and
education

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Ray Kroc - Economics

Sold milkshake machines when he
encountered McDonald brothers - loved their
method, consistency, and quality

Got them to franchise but bought them out in
‘61 for $2.7 million

Not making the bank he’d hoped for - started
McDonald’s Real Estate

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