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1. Edison, Thomas Alva - 1847-1931, American inventor, b. Milan, Ohio. A genius in the practical application of scientific principles, Edison was one of the great and most productive inventors of his time, but his formal schooling was limited to iii months in Port Huron, Mich., in 1854. For several years he was a newsboy on the Grand Trunk RR, and it was during this period that he began to patronise from deafness, which was to increase throughout his life. He later worked as a telegraph operator in various cities. Edisons first inventions were the transmitter and receiver for the robotic telegraph.2. Bell, Alexander Graham - 1847-1922, American scientist, inventor of the telephone, b. Edinburgh, Scotland, educated at the Univ. of Edinburgh and University College, capital of the United Kingdom son of Alexander Melville Bell. He worked in London with his father, whose system of transparent speech he used in teaching the deaf to talk. In 1870 he went to Canada, and in 1871 he lec tured, chiefly to teachers of the deaf, in Boston and early(a) cities. During the next few years he conducted his own school of strain physiology in Boston, lectured at Boston Univ., and worked on his inventions. His teaching methods were of lasting hold dear in the improvement of education for the deaf.3. Carnegie, Andrew - 1835-1919, American industrialist and philanthropist, b. Dunfermline, Scotland. His father, a weaver, found it increasingly difficult to get work in Scottish factories. In 1848 he brought his family to Allegheny (now Pittsburgh), Pa. Andrew first worked in a cotton mill as a bobbin boy, then advanced himself as a telegrapher, and became (1859) a super for the Pennsylvania RR. He resigned (1865) his railroad position to give personal maintenance to the investments he had made (1864) in iron manufactures.4. John Davison Rockefeller - 1874-1960, b. Cleveland, grad. Brown, 1897 took over officious management of his fathers interests in 1911 and engaged in nume rous philanthropies. Riverside church in New York City was built through his gifts. He overly gave vast sums for religious projects, for scientific investigation, and for the restoration of historic monuments. Among his most celebrated philanthropies were the restoration of colonial Williamsburg, Va., and the donation of the site for the United Nations headquarters in New York City. He founded (1931) and helped plan Rockefeller Center in New York City, which the Rockefeller interests, correct in 1939.5. Gompers, Samuel - 1850-1924, American labor leader, b.