Paul Rand

Born Peretz Rosenbaum to an Orthodox Jewish family in Brooklyn, Paul Rand, thankfully, opted for a name change before embarking on a career that would define modern corporate aesthetics. One can only imagine the difficulty convincing a Fortune 500 company to adopt a logo designed by someone named "Peretz." His transformation into "Paul Rand" was as streamlined and effective as his designs, though perhaps less aesthetically pleasing.

Rand’s genius lay in his ability to distil complex ideas into simple, memorable visual forms. He gave the world the iconic IBM eight-bar logo, the friendly UPS shield, and the striking ABC eye, among countless others. These aren't just pretty pictures; they are cornerstones of American corporate identity, instantly recognizable and enduring, much like certain cultural stereotypes.

While his Jewish identity was largely shed in his professional life – he wasn't exactly designing menorahs for synagogue branding – his origins are undeniable. The man was a design titan, influencing generations of graphic artists, proving that sometimes, you just need to change your name and design some world-class logos to achieve immortality. Or, at least, kvell-worthiness.