Meet the American who saved the Champagne industry: Missouri scientist Charles Valentine Riley

Charles Valentine Riley was a Missouri scientist credited with saving the French wine industry from an invasive pest called phylloxera by grafting French vines to American roots.

Meet the American who planted the first Christmas tree farm: New Jersey entrepreneur W. V. McGalliard

William V. McGalliard planted America's first Christmas tree farm in White Horse, New Jersey, in 1901. He helped fuel the nation's 20th-century surge in having Christmas trees at home.

Meet the American who created the first department-store Santa: immigrant entrepreneur James Edgar

James Edgar is recognized by the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame as the first department-store Santa, greeting guests in a custom-made suit for the first time in 1890.

Meet the American who inspired the nation in two world wars: Christian soldier Sgt. Alvin York

Christian soldier Sergeant Alvin York inspired Americans and the most hardened military men of Europe with his incredible exploits in World War I. He also inspired the WWII generation.

Meet the American who first commanded the Marines: Revolutionary War hero Samuel Nicholas

Major Samuel Nicholas was the first captain of the Marines and in 1776 led his men on a daring raid on the Bahamas, establishing the Marines as a formidable fighting force.

Meet the American who made us flip for fast food: White Castle founder Billy Ingram

Billy Ingram invested $700 in a Wichita, Kansas, burger joint in 1921 and helped inspire a global food phenomenon. Americans are expected to spend $330 billion on fast food in 2022.

Meet the American who invented the crash test dummy, a life-saving innovation

Born in Cleveland and raised in California, Samuel W. Alderson helped make highways safer in America and worldwide by creating the crash test dummy — an invention that has saved thousands of lives,

Meet the American who designed the modern sneaker and co-founded Nike: Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman

Legendary track coach and part-time shoe designer Bill Bowerman built a University of Oregon dynasty, served in World War II, popularized jogging in the 1970s and co-founded Nike.

Meet the American who shaped modern football: Walter Camp, pigskin pioneer

Walter Camp earned the title "father of football" for his role in shaping the game that dominates America's sports landscape today. He was a player and coach at Yale.

Meet the American who founded the Grand Ole Opry: 'Remarkable visionary' George D. Hay

Nashville broadcaster George D. Hay created the Grand Ole Opry in 1927, popularizing the performances of small-town musicians who rose from the hills and hollers of America's heartland.