Tom Lyle Williams was an American entrepreneur best known for founding the cosmetics company Maybelline. Born on April 27, 1887, in Paw Paw, Michigan, he started his business in 1915, inspired by his sister's need for a product to enhance her eyelashes. Williams created a simple formula using coal dust and Vaseline, which he marketed as a mascara. His innovative approach and effective marketing strategies helped Maybelline grow into a leading brand in the beauty industry, eventually becoming a household name worldwide. Williams passed away on January 26, 1975.