These 6 Famous Texans Changed the World—Did You Grow Up Without Meeting Them?

Fri, 01 May 2026 10:45:17 +0000

These 6 Famous Texans Who Changed the World—Did You Grow Up Without Meeting Them? Texans have long shaped American history, culture, and innovation—and some of them didn’t just influence Texas, they changed the world. From legendary trailblazers to groundbreaking pioneers, these iconic figures left indelible marks across science, music, politics, and beyond. But have you ever met them as a kid growing up in Texas—or anywhere in the U.S.—without hearing of their legacy? Here are six famous Texans whose extraordinary impact deserves celebration, and a reminder that their stories may be hiding in plain sight. ### 1. Oscar Collins – The Father of Modern Computer Science? Though often overshadowed, Oscar Collins—born in Texas in 1928—was a pioneering computer scientist whose theoretical work laid the foundation for artificial intelligence and machine learning. His early research in the mid-20th century helped shape algorithms still used in modern tech. Growing up in post-war Texas, many Texans didn’t learn about Collins’s contributions in school, yet his influence echoes in the devices and systems around us today.