And then, as I grew into adulthood and began my own explorations into the bigger world, my image retreated to the hermetic world of an envelope in a desk drawer .

FORBES: The Photograph

After earning her degree in chemistry from the University of Edinburgh in 1991 (where she kept her own bottle of Bowmore in her desk drawer for special occasions), she spent a year studying the chemistry of Newcastle Brown Ale.

FORBES: Dream Jobs: Rachel Barrie, Master Blender, Morrison Bowmore Distilleries

Chances, are, however, you keep a backup copy of your operating system on an optical disc in the desk drawer, just in case.

FORBES: Apple Just Killed The Optical Drive

Not any USB stick, but a super-sleek 2GB and Que-branded USB stick sitting in my desk drawer.

FORBES: Photos Of The E-Reader You'll Never Own