The Reality Reports

The Birth Of A Transportation Company: American Express was founded on March 18, 1850, in Buffalo, New York. At the time, the United States was expanding quickly, and businesses needed safe and reliable ways to move money, goods, and important papers. Railroads and canals were growing, but organized express services were still limited. The company began as an express mail and freight business, not a financial institution. Its main role was to transport currency, securities, and valuable items between cities.

A Well-Known Brand With An Unusual Beginning: Netflix is now one of the most recognizable entertainment companies in the world. Millions of people associate the name with movies, series, and streaming technology. Before the brand became Netflix, however, the service operated under a very different name. During its early development phase, it was called Kibble.com.

Where The Idea Started: Gary Dahl was a freelance advertising copywriter in California working to pay his bills when inspiration struck in an unexpected place. During an evening at a bar in April 1975, Dahl listened to his friends complain about their troublesome pets. Dogs and cats destroyed furniture, needed constant feeding and walking, required expensive veterinary care, and created messes throughout the house.  Dahl joked that he did not share their problems because his pet was a rock. The comment got laughs around the table, but Dahl recognized something deeper in the humor. He went home that night and began writing an instruction manual for caring for a hypothetical pet rock, detailing all the tricks it could perform like playing dead and staying perfectly still on command.

A Bold Idea In A Conservative Market: In the early 1970s, buying lingerie in the United States was uncomfortable for many men. Stores were small, sales clerks were often women, and the experience could feel awkward or embarrassing.  This cultural reality set the stage for a business decision that would later shape one of the most recognizable brands in retail history. When Victoria’s Secret was founded in 1977 by Roy Raymond, it was created with men in mind first, not women.

The Famous Food Court Combo That Never Changes Price: Walk into any Costco warehouse today and you'll find the same deal that existed in 1985: a quarter-pound hot dog and refillable soda for just $1.50.  This price has remained frozen in time while everything else has gotten more expensive. The story behind this pricing decision involves a dramatic conversation between two company leaders that has become business legend.

The Birth Of A Global Craze: In 1958, two California toy makers named Arthur Melin and Richard Knerr created something special. They took an old idea from Australia and turned it into the hula hoop we know today.  Made from plastic tubing formed into a circle, this simple toy would soon become one of the most successful products in history. Within just four months of its release, 25 million hula hoops were sold across America.

The Historic Moment That Started A Revolution: On June 26, 1974, a pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit chewing gum became the first product ever scanned with a barcode at a grocery store.  This happened at Marsh Supermarket in Troy, Ohio, when cashier Sharon Buchanan rang up the 67-cent pack of gum.  That simple transaction marked the beginning of a technology that would transform how people shop around the world.

The Start Of A Fashion Revolution: Max Mara began in 1951 in Reggio Emilia, Italy, when Achille Maramotti decided to bring something new to women’s fashion.  At a time when most clothes were made by hand, Maramotti wanted to use industrial methods to make high-quality, stylish clothes that more women could afford.  He named the brand “ Max Mara ” to give it an international sound, combining “Max” for greatness and “Mara” from his own last name.

The Story Behind Viking Cruises : Viking Cruises started in 1997 when Torstein Hagen, an experienced cruise executive, bought four river ships in Russia.  His goal was to create a cruise company focused on cultural exploration and comfortable travel, rather than flashy entertainment.  The company quickly grew, especially after acquiring the German company KD River Cruises in 2000, which helped Viking expand its fleet and secure prime docking spots in Europe.

The Beginning: Two Brothers, One Dream In 1951, two Dutch brothers, William and Harry Voortman , started baking cookies in Hamilton, Ontario.  Their family had been bakers in the Netherlands, and after moving to Canada, they wanted to continue that tradition.  At first, they baked bread and cakes, but soon realized that cookies were the best way to connect with local customers.

A Humble Beginning: The Early Days Of Newark Nut Company Nuts.com started as the Newark Nut Company in 1929, founded by Sol Braverman. Sol was an immigrant who left school at age 12 to help his family earn a living.  He began by selling freshly roasted peanuts and other foods from a small shop on Mulberry Street in Newark, New Jersey. His goal was simple: support his family and offer quality products to his community.