Semper wrote:Margaret Thatcher - Massively influential and powerful within the UK. She did a great deal of good, as well as a bit of bad! First female priminister and probably the greatest/well known female leader since Cleopatra!
I definitely agree with this one.
The Prime Ministers we remember most are the ones who don't merely and govern and pass laws; but who change the country they live in. Like her or loathe her, Margaret Thatcher influenced the thinking of a generation. Whether or not this was a positive influence continues to be debated.
But yeah, some of those I thought of which haven't already been mentioned..
Goebbels - he pioneered many propoganda techniques which are still in widespread use today. The "big lie", for example, and the extensive use of the radio and television to embed ideas in people. His influence on the way governments work is far more widespread than people care to realize or admit.
Ford - changed industry in a massive way. Came up with assembly line, for example, and used new methods to automate manufacturing and market his products to a wider audience.
Che Guerva - his image, at least, is embedded deep within popular culture.. representing revolution, and a general desire to change the world. The mass commercialization of said image will probably have him doing cartwheels in his grave, but it's there nonetheless.
The guy who stood in front of the army tanks at Tiananmen Square - no idea who the hell he is, but the image is one of the defining ones of the last century. It represents a lot of different emotions.
There are more, but it's late and I'm tired. Hopefully I'll think of a few others whilst I'm in work tomorrow.