Europe dominates inventories of eminent figures in science, math, technology, and arts from 800 BC to 1950. Western Europe produces over 80% of top artists, composers, and writers. China contributes early but collapses to near zero after 1500 AD. Sub-Saharan Africa has zero entries in any significant accomplishment inventory. Arab world peaks in math and astronomy around 1000 AD then vanishes. India negligible outside ancient math. Peak accomplishment occurs 1400-1900 in northwest Europe. Small nations like Scotland and Netherlands outperform giants like China per capita. Americans surge in inventions after 1800 but mostly of European descent. Females represent under 1% of eminent figures across fields. Accomplishment requires rare convergence of talent, freedom, and cultural values. No non-European group sustains high output over centuries.