Its funny when you think about heroes in the old days. Famous heroes were usually war heros, be they in a World War or fighting the Indians in America.
Today it doesn't seem that our heroes are as colorful or dramatic, but somehow I think over time, the early heroes had some help. Books, movies, TVs have made some of these people larger than life. Jessie James - a criminal is one such example.
Anyway, its an interesting look. Maybe in 100 years, the modern day heroes will have taken on a whole new look too.