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Another batch of dreamers and tinkerers whose inventions travelled far beyond their expectations.

In 1967 Meg Crane had the idea for a home pregnancy test – one that women could do themselves. It would mean no more long waits for laboratory results and no need for doctors. But her bosses at the pharmaceutical firm where she worked took a different view. Although her idea was dismissed, she continued to work on her prototype for the world's first home pregnancy test. She told Jo Fidgen in 2023 how the fight to finally get her design onto shelves, started on the day that she gatecrashed a meeting of male product designers. 

Kenechukwu Ogbuagu's world revolves around board games. He invents them, designs them and makes them with his own hands for his company Nibcard Games in Nigeria. He even hosts the African Boardgame Convention. In 2022 Kenchukwu shared his story with Mobeen Azhar – how his passion began and about placing his own heritage and culture at the heart of many of his games.

Two superstars of dance, Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon revolutionised the modern musical with highly stylised dance routines that are instantly recognisable; sultry and sharp movements, splayed fingers on gloved hands, shoulder rolls and props like tilted bowler hats. In 2020 Nicole Fosse spoke to Emily Webb. She reflects on her parents' legacy and how, as a child she would sometimes get involved in their creative process.

Takayuki Ohira is a Japanese inventor who has always had a fascination with the night sky. His astonishing creation is in the Guinness World Records. It's called the Megastar Planetarium and was recorded as being able to project the highest number of stars in the world. He shared his remarkable story of ingenuity and ambition with Jo Fidgen back in 2016.

Presenter: India Rakusen
Producer: Hannah Dean

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: A transparent 60-minute cassette tape with a white label bearing the words: The Outlook Mixtape. Credit: Getty Images)