9. George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver was an African-American inventor, agronomist, artist and botanist, from Diamond Grove, Missouri who born as a slave. Carver is recognized today for his contribution in the field of agriculture for his recommendation on alternative crops to cotton, such as sweet potato, soybeans and peanuts, which significantly improved the health of slaves in plantation. By planting their own foods, slaves could have more nutritious diet and the method also allowed slave owners to reduce costs for providing foods. More than 100 modern peanut-related products are now attributed to Carver’s works, including nitroglycerin, biodiesel, paints, dyes and cosmetics. The Time Magazine called him the “Black Leonardo”.