In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner remembers key innovations, inventions, and firsts that took place between September 13th and the 17th. In our main story, she shares the life story of the man who fixed Thomas Edison’s lightbulb, drew Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone into reality, and made a real and lasting mark on his community. We’ll also hear about the release of Super Mario Bros., find out why the founder of General Motors hated cars, and wish a happy birthday to Agatha Christie and Wendy Thomas.
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innovation
Podcast
December 4, 2025
The Future of Art Meets Logistics: Drue Kataoka on Purpose, Vision & Innovation
In this inspiring episode of Logistics with Purpose®, presented by Vector Global Logistics in partnership with Supply Chain Now, hosts Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter sit down with world-renowned artist and technologist Drue Kataoka. As CEO of Drue Kataoka Art Studios in Silicon Valley, Drue blends art, science, meditation, and emerging technologies to create visionary works that span more than 30 countries—including several pieces sent to space. Drue shares how her Zen and Samurai heritage shapes her approach to creativity, the power of meditation, and why building a strong “vision muscle” is essential in today’s fast-moving visual AI landscape. She also reveals how art and logistics overlap in their shared mission to orchestrate complexity, purpose, and innovation. Throughout the conversation, Drue reflects on: Her multidisciplinary education at Stanford, Harvard, and Yale Her work with Space for Humanity and creating art for space missions The story behind her iconic piece, “Vitruvian Woman”, and its message of modern inclusivity How artists can embrace AI rather than fear it The balance between consuming and creating—and how it drives productivity Her global speaking work with the World Economic Forum If you’re passionate about creativity, innovation, technology, or purpose-driven impact—this episode is packed with insights…
Podcast
October 1, 2025
Salvando Vidas con Cadena de Suministro
En este episodio de Supply Chain Now en Español nos adentramos en un tema fascinante y profundamente humano: la logística humanitaria. Nuestro invitado es Manuel González, Global Sourcing Manager en CARE, una organización internacional sin fines de lucro que trabaja en más de 100 países con un propósito claro: erradicar la pobreza y devolver dignidad a las personas en situaciones vulnerables. La conversación arranca con la historia personal de Manuel, quien dio un giro de 180° en su carrera: pasó de trabajar en la industria privada —con experiencia en alimentos, bebidas y farmacéutica— a sumarse al sector humanitario. Su motivación: lograr que su trabajo tuviera un impacto real en la vida de otros. Esta transición no solo le abrió los ojos a nuevas realidades, sino que también lo retó a aplicar todo lo aprendido en la empresa privada para hacer más eficientes y efectivas las operaciones de CARE. Hablamos de los enormes retos de la logística en emergencias: desde abastecer comunidades remotas en Uganda hasta reaccionar en cuestión de horas frente a un huracán o conflicto armado. Lo que en el mundo corporativo podría significar “optimizar costos” o “reducir tiempos de entrega”, aquí significa literalmente salvar vidas. Manuel comparte cómo…