George Washington, John D. Rockefeller, and Benjamin Franklin hailed from vastly different industries and eras, each capitalizing on the opportunities of their time. Here's a concise breakdown: ### George Washington - **Industry:** Agriculture, Real Estate - **Era:** Late 18th Century - **Sources of Income:** - **Plantation Farming:** Primarily tobacco and wheat. - **Land Speculation:** Acquired and sold land in the Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio regions. - **Distillery:** One of the largest whiskey distilleries in America at the time. ### John D. Rockefeller - **Industry:** Oil - **Era:** Late 19th to Early 20th Century - **Sources of Income:** - **Standard Oil Company:** Founded in 1870, it became the world's first and largest multinational corporation, controlling most of the oil refineries in the U.S. - **Investments:** Later in life, Rockefeller diversified his investments into iron fields, real estate, and railroads. ### Benjamin Franklin - **Industry:** Printing, Publishing, Inventions - **Era:** 18th Century - **Sources of Income:** - **Printing Business:** Owned a successful printing and publishing business, producing newspapers and books. - **Inventions and Patents:** Although Franklin did not patent his inventions, they contributed to his reputation and led to financial opportunities. - **Public Office:** Held various government positions, including Postmaster General, which provided a steady income. Each of these figures exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit of their time, leveraging the resources and opportunities available to build wealth in their respective industries. #business #history #entrepreneurship