an innocuous decision by an unimportant individual

An unsung, unknown art professor at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts was given the thankless task of grading entrance exams.  Hopeful students had sat for the two day examination for a chance to change their lives and prospects, for the chance of becoming a great artist and being remembered for their art.  The unknown professor was having a bad day, perhaps he had had a fight with his wife, perhaps he himself was a frustrated artist and longed for the opportunity that only youth provides, the sort of opportunity that was being wasted on these students.  Whatever the reason, he denied admission to several students that day.  Perhaps some were better than others, perhaps some came from better families who were able to afford tuition and support a struggling artist, perhaps some had families that would contribute to the school’s coffers.  There were countless reasons for his decisions that day, most seem insignificant now. An insignificant decision by an insignificant man.  The year was 1907 and the professor’s decision to deny a life-altering admission to the prestigious school determined the fate and direction of none other than Adolf Hitler.  Hitler never made it into the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts because a person made the decision to turn down his application.  An innocuous decision by an unimportant individual…