February 06

Aldus Manutius was born in 1449 in Bassiano and became one of the leading humanist scholars of the Renaissance. In 1494 he established the Aldine Press in Venice, producing high-quality editions of Greek and Latin classics. He introduced innovations such as the italic typeface, the semicolon, and pocket-sized books for wider distribution. His work preserved and popularized ancient texts across Europe and set new standards for typography. The Aldine Press under his leadership became synonymous with scholarly excellence and elegant design. His legacy endures in modern publishing and typography.

Born in London in 1836, Harriet Samuel inherited her father-in-law's watchmaking business and transformed it into a national jewellery retailer. She rebranded the company as H. Samuel and expanded her stores across the United Kingdom, making quality jewellery accessible to the middle class. Known for her keen business acumen and commitment to customer service, she built one of the leading retail empires of her time. Her pioneering role as a female founder in the 19th century inspired future generations of women entrepreneurs. Samuel's legacy endures in the H. Samuel brand, which remains a prominent name on the British high street.

Virginia Halas McCaskey was born in 1923 as the daughter of NFL founder George Halas. She inherited the Chicago Bears franchise in 1983 and became the NFL’s oldest team owner. Under her stewardship, the Bears won a Super Bowl in 1985 and remained one of the league’s marquee franchises. McCaskey has overseen the team’s business operations and upheld her family’s football legacy. She has been a respected leader in the sports community and an advocate for women in management roles. Her tenure has shaped the modern NFL and set a standard for family-owned sports franchises.