The GED — the General Educational Development test that gives people who didn’t finish high school a chance to earn an equivalent credential — began in 1942. It was created during World War II so returning service members who had not finished high school could prove their high-school-level academic skills and move on to jobs, training, or college. Since then the GED has become a lifeline for many adults who took a nontraditional route to education and later went on to distinguished careers.
Notable names
Dave Thomas — founder of Wendy’s
Dave Thomas is best known as the founder of the Wendy’s fast-food chain and for starring in many of the company’s TV commercials. He left formal schooling early and later pursued alternate routes to complete his education. Dave’s story is often told as an example of someone who turned an unconventional youth into entrepreneurial success.
Greg Mathis — American judge, television arbitrator and motivational speaker
Greg Mathis rose from a difficult youth to become a Michigan state court judge and later the star of the TV courtroom show Judge Mathis. His life story — which includes overcoming obstacles, returning to education, and pursuing the law — is frequently cited as inspirational for people who took the GED path or alternative routes to credentials and careers.
Christopher Blizzard — tech evangelist and open-source leader
Christopher Blizzard is known in tech communities as an advocate and engineer who worked on open-source projects and developer relations (notably associated with Red Hat and related projects). He’s often mentioned in conversations about unconventional tech career paths where passion and self-teaching sometimes substitute for traditional schooling.
George Eastman — founder of Eastman Kodak Company
George Eastman was a pioneering photographer and the founder of Eastman Kodak. Important historical fact: George Eastman died in 1932, so he could not have held a GED — the GED program did not exist until 1942. Eastman’s life is still relevant here because it’s an example of a hugely influential innovator who had a nontraditional education for his era (he left formal schooling early), but not a GED.
George Bernard Shaw — author and playwright
George Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright, critic and Nobel laureate. He lived until 1950, so chronologically the GED existed during the final years of his life, but Shaw’s education and career were rooted in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and the GED as a U.S. high-school-equivalency credential is not normally associated with him. In short: Shaw is a towering literary figure often discussed in the context of self-education and uneven formal schooling, but not a typical example of a modern GED recipient.
These examples show that the GED is not a limitation—it’s a launchpad. Whether someone dreams of higher education, international opportunities, or building a business empire, the GED can be the first stepping stone.
At Eduvista International School, we specialize in GED preparation and registration, helping students unlock their true potential and follow in the footsteps of global achievers
