
BUSINESS
11 Times Companies Bowed to Customer Outcry
The customer is always right, as these 11 companies learned the hard way.
Why Are Legal Pads Yellow?
The legal pad got its start in 1888, and it's still a best-seller at office supply stores. But why exactly did that yellow tint become popular?
Why Do Drive-Up ATMs Have Braille on the Buttons?
This question was submitted by reader Lindsey. It also may have been part of a Starburst advertising campaign in the
Will Yelp Put Restaurant Chains Out of Business?
Finding great local restaurants can be a challenge. There seem to be a dozen mediocre, even bad restaurants, for every good one. That's why chains have gotten so popular in the last few decades. They may not be as good as some independent local places, bu
Where Do Historical Reenactors Get Their Gear?
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. With all eyes on America’s historic battlegrounds, it’s going to be a big year for sutlers, too.Sutlers, historically, were civilian merchants who sold supplies to armies in the field an
Inside the Surprisingly Delicious World of Cat Food Taste Testing
Cat food is serious business. Taking underutilized and low-value raw materials like animal byproducts and turning them into high-value foods can be, not surprisingly, very lucrative. Along with other pet foods, cat food makes up a hefty portion of the int
What's in a Name?
These names have probably all ended up in your shopping cart at some point, but how well do you know their origins? Let's take a look at the names behind some of our favorite groceries.
The Secret to The Office's Success
I love The Office. It seems like I have worked with every character on the show. And apparently, I'm not alone. Entire blogs have been written about working under a person like Michael Scott and business schools have started incorporating his flaws into t
A $500 or $10,000 Bill? The Story Behind Large-Denomination Currency
It's every pizza delivery driver's worst nightmare. Once upon a time, you could have paid for your food order with a nice, fresh $10,000 bill.
6 David & Goliath Trademark Disputes
Every businessperson would agree that trademark infringement is a serious issue. But when a multi-million dollar corporation goes after a mom-and-pop store, you can't help but root for the underdog. Most of the time, David doesn't stand a chance against
The Quick 10: If 10 Fast Food Joints Had Stuck With the Original Plan...
Ben & Jerry's Bagels? Sonic Steakhouse? Be glad that some of our favorite quick-service places evolved into what they are today. Check out what could have become of these 10 places if fate hadn't intervened. 1. When Ben and Jerry decided to go into busi
Was There Really a Granny Smith? 9 Fruit & Veggie Origins
The other night my parents were having a discussion about the origins of the name of Fordhook lima beans—apparently their empty-nest existence is not quite as thrilling as I'd suspected—when my mom started researching and emailed me her findin
8 Things Disney Parks Have Banned
by Alvin WardDisneyland may be the Happiest Place on Earth, but don't think that means you can just waltz in and do whatever you want. In fact, Mickey Mouse's theme parks have banned quite a few things over the years. Here are just a few of the things o
The Origins of 7 Department Store Chains
You can't set foot in a mall without hearing one of their names, but the stories behind the men and women who founded department stores aren't often part of our food court conversations. Here's a look back at Richard W. Sears, James Cash Penney and some o
The Origins of 6 Casino Favorites
Planning a trip to Vegas in the near future? Never forget that in the long run, the house always wins. But knowing the history of some of your favorite casino games may help soften the blow the next time you're losing your shirt. If you're going to be
Tylenol, Tampons & Other Famous Product Recalls
Ford just announced it is recalling over 4.5 million vehicles due to a faulty switch that can overheat and catch fire. Of course, cars aren't the only things that get recalled. Every year, dozens of foods, drugs, and consumer products get yanked from she
A Brief History of the Goodyear Blimp
If you tuned in to Game 1 of the National League Championship Series last night, you were treated to spectacular aerial views of Dodger Stadium and greater Los Angeles courtesy of one of Goodyear's blimps. America's most recognizable airships, the tire an
6 Unfamiliar Champions Who Appeared on Wheaties Boxes
Here's a closer look at some of the less familiar names to hit the breakfast table on boxes of Wheaties over the years.
18 Memorable Ad Questions
Ad slogans and taglines generally come to us in the form of a declaration. But seriously, what would you do for a Klondike bar?
5 Things You Didn't Know About Mikhail Prokhorov
It looks like Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov has reached a deal to buy the floundering New Jersey Nets. What's Prokhorov's story, though? We did some digging, and here are five things you probably don't know about the man who could become the NBA
5 Brazen Examples of Price Fixing
After Steven Soderbergh's adaptation of Kurt Eichenwald's nonfiction book The Informant debuted to largely positive reviews last weekend, price fixing is all the conversational rage again. Okay, that statement is not even remotely true, but Soderbergh's