William F. Cody earned a reputation for his skill as a horseman, scout and his willingness to put his life at risk during the Civil War and while working for the railroad. He would bring his exploits to life as entertainment in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show.

Founder of the League of Women Voters, Carrie Chapman Catt played an instrumental role in the suffrage movement and the passage of the 19th Amendment. As president of the National American Women’s Suffrage Association, Carrie Chapman Catt made great strides toward increased membership and state by state lobbying efforts. Her leadership is credited with the surge of support that led to the eventual ratification of the 19th Amendment.

Charles and John Ringling along with their three of their brothers started a circus. With a family history of entertainers from Europe, the boys naturally performed most of the acts themselves. From clowns to acrobats and jugglers, they formed their show until it grew into one of the two most famous circus acts in the U.S.

Lee de Forest’s invention of the Audion vacuum tube made live broadcasting possible. He served as the chief scientist for the first U.S. radio firm, American Wireless Telephone and Radio.

Known as a humanitarian, Herbert Hoover served one term as the 31st U.S. president. Before being elected president, Hoover’s humanitarian efforts during the Boxer Rebellion, World War I and his ability to organize aid at difficult times became a hallmark of his character. During his term in office, the U.S. economy plunged into the Great Depression. Hoover’s extended a few actions to stimulate the economy. Hoover believed aid must come from the local level and in a limited federal government role. In 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated Hoover in his bid for reelection. The Great Depression lasted until 1939.

In 1910, the United States Navy partnered with Eugene Ely and Glenn Curtiss to attempt to take off and land a plan on board one of the Navy’s ships. Ely completed a haphazard take off in a Curtiss Pusher from the deck of the USS Birmingham on November 14, 1910, causing damage to the propeller.

On January 18, 1911, Ely successfully landed the Curtiss on the USS Pensylvania where a modified landing deck and a restraining system had been prepared.

Most known for his piece, American Gothic,  Grant Wood’s paintings depict American life. American Gothic launched Wood to the forefront of the Regionalist movement while the painting found a permanent place in American culture.

W.H. Carothers invented nylon and neoprene. As a chemist, his contributions led to breakthroughs led to multiple versatile uses in industry and manufacturing.

Combining his journalism background and his polling skills, George Gallup founded the American Institute of Public Opinion in 1935. It would become known as Gallup.

Glenn Miller led one of the most popular World War II era bands. “Moonlight Serenade” and “Chattanooga Choo Choo” name just a couple of his many hits.

Marion Mitchell Morrison, otherwise known as John Wayne, began his acting career under the guidance of director John Ford. Noted for his Westerns, John Wayne would also take on war and political dramas. Nominated for three Academy Awards, The Duke would earn Best Actor for the Western True Grit in 1969.

Mathematician and computer scientist, Winifred Asprey earned her Ph.D. in mathematics at a time when very few women did. Asprey established the first computer lab at Vassar College in 1967. Vassar soon became the second college to acquire an IBM System/360 computer.

Nicknames like Rapid Robert, Bullet Bob and The Heather from Van Meter quickly sum up the pitching style of Bob Feller. Spending 18 years with the Cleveland Indians, Feller’s wicked fastball kept batters pacing the distance between the dugout and the plate. In 1941, Feller put his career on hold when he enlisted, becoming the first player to volunteer for World War II.

Johnny Carson’s early career in broadcasting began in radio and television for WOW in Nebraska. He hosted several shows before being tapped to replace Jack Paar as the host of the Tonight Show in 1962. He successfully hosted the show for 30 years with his sidekick, Ed McMahon.

Dan Gable earned gold in wrestling at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, West Germany. He would go on to become the wrestling coach at the University of Iowa. Gable has also coached the U.S. Olympic team to multiple gold medals during his career.

Astronaut, Peggy Whiston, holds the record for the most cumulative time in space by an American. At 665 days accrued, Whiston spent her extended mission above the Earth on the International Space Station and broke the record on September 2, 2017.