Rockefeller was a legend among legends. As you mentioned, in school I learned that he was a "bad guy" who created Standard Oil, a monopoly that had to be broken up by Anti-Trust laws into nearly 3 dozen different companies (most of which still exist today.)
What we never learned is that he was a master of efficiency. The reason he got so rich is because he literally identified market inefficiencies and waste and was able to make a profit by solving problems and reducing excess. You know, the way capitalism is supposed to be.
He was too successful at doing it and was penalized for doing so because we actually live in a nanny state that gives us all of the grief and none of the benefits. (At least if you work for a living.)
When I read about the problems that Rockefeller solved - on my own time, and not in any class - my perspective on him completely changed.
And that's just one man.
The world is not what we think it is. History is written by the victors, but I genuinely have no idea who has won.
Rockefeller's standard oil saved the whales from extinction.
You'd think the 'environmentalists' would be grateful?
Guess not.