Famous First Failures

"History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heart-breaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats."

-- B.C. Forbes

Recently laid off? Struggling to find a job? Promotion seem unreachable? Just frustrated in general by your 9 to 5? Sometimes the obstacles we face seem unconquerable.

It may help you to know that some of the most successful people in history had to overcome huge hurdles before making it big. See if you can identify which well-known people encountered the following failures.