Topic

Business & Economics

A collection of 113 issues

The Unlikely Saboteurs: How Squirrels Crashed the Nasdaq Stock Market Twice

Did you know the high-tech Nasdaq market was halted not by hackers, but by squirrels? In 1987 and 1994, these furry rodents chewed through power lines, causing significant outages and reminding Wall Street that even the most complex systems are vulnerable to nature's simplest problems.

Business & Economics History Animals in Culture

The Leviathan of the Thames: Brunel's Great Eastern Was a Ship 40 Years Ahead of Its Time

Isambard Kingdom Brunel's SS Great Eastern (1858) was a maritime titan. The largest ship for four decades, it could carry 4,000 passengers to Australia without refueling. Its immense size necessitated a revolutionary and difficult sideways launch, marking it as a marvel of its era.

History Technology & Innovation Business & Economics

Uncorking Portugal: The Surprising Story of the World's Cork Superpower

Did you know Portugal is the world's cork capital? It produces over half the global supply from its vast cork oak forests. This renewable industry is a model of sustainability, with applications extending far beyond wine stoppers, from fashion to aerospace.

Business & Economics Science & Nature Geography & Places

How Oprah, Michael Jordan, and Prince Saved Spike Lee's 'Malcolm X' From Hollywood's Grip

Spike Lee's epic 'Malcolm X' nearly died when Warner Bros. cut funding. The film was saved only after Lee's public appeal led to crucial donations from Black icons like Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Prince, ensuring his grand vision reached the screen.

Entertainment & Media Business & Economics Biography & Personal Stories

From the Bronx to the Outhouse: The True Story of the Häagen-Dazs Name

The premium ice cream brand Häagen-Dazs has a surprising origin. The name, meant to sound Danish as a tribute, was invented in the Bronx by a founder with no knowledge of the language. It's linguistically nonsensical, and by a hilarious coincidence, can be roughly translated to 'Garden Outhouse'.

Business & Economics History Food & Lifestyle

From 500 Pens to a Global Empire: The Only Loan IKEA Ever Took

In 1937, a teenage Ingvar Kamprad used a 500 krona loan to import pens, launching what would become IKEA. This single act of financing was the only external capital the company would take in its first 82 years, embedding a legendary culture of frugality and self-reliance into its DNA.

Business & Economics Biography & Personal Stories History

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