Who do you think was the most influential .........

[Slowcoach]

Today I read in the obituaries column of The Daily Telegraph , sadly , of the death of Owen Maddock , Chief Designer of The Cooper Car Company (in the 1950's and 60's) at the age of 75 . He revolutionised the shape of motor racing cars by mounting the engine behind the driver . This Maddock designed Cooper won its first GP in 1958 with Stirling Moss and went on to capture the Drivers title with Jack Brabham in 1959 and 1960 (and I believe the Constructors title)
"Who do you think was the most influential" designer/engineer? , or at least very important , and what was their invention/solution/innovation..........a subject about which I know so little.....so come on enlighten me ! (and there's no Franklin to insult you !)