Is there anything more glamorous than Hollywood in the 1920s? The furs, the diamonds, the Duesenbergs, and – of course – the red carpet. But the history of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is more business than it is art or science. From an attempt to block censorship nationwide to the complications presented by the rise of labor unions, there was…
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This Week in Business History for April 19th: Cross-word Mamma You Puzzle Me
Cruciverbalists gather ‘round… this week’s podcast is something you’re not going to want to miss. On April 18th, 1924, the first crossword puzzle book was published by Simon and Schuster. It included a pencil and eraser, but no answers. Nearly 100 years later, approximately half of all Americans aged 18 and older do crosswords, 60% of them in newspapers. Listen to…
This Week in Business History for April 12th: Kickin’ A Big Ol’ Dent in the Universe:- Steve Jobs & John Sculley
In this episode of “This Week in Business History”, your host Scott W. Luton dives into the early, but critical days of Apple. In particular, Scott covers some of the story between Steve Jobs and John Sculley. The good, the bad & some of the ugly. But both leaders were a big part of the journey that led the company to where it stands today: one of the most iconic…
This Week in Business History for April 5th: The Sweetest Comeback in the History Of Ever
What sweet treat started as banana flavored, moved to vanilla because of a World War II supply chain disruption, and contains an ingredient also found in rocket fuel? It’s the Twinkie! In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner tells the story of the Twinkie from the heart of the Depression, through two bankruptcies, and to a race to push the limits…
This Week in Business History for March 29th: What’s Up with Wabash & More Tech Business History
In this episode of “This Week in Business History”, host Scott W. Luton dives into several factoids and milestones in the Technology Industry; from electrical lighting to (failed) software to lesser-known start-up leadership. You might even walk away with a better understanding of 19th Century concerns related to the impact light bulbs might have on…
This Week in Business History for March 22nd: Lovin’ an Elevator
In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner shares the story of the first successful passenger elevator, installed on March 23, 1857 in the Haughwout Emporium in New York City. Designed and installed by Elisha Graves Otis, founder of the Otis Elevator Company, this half engineering marvel half sales gimmick revolutionized the potential height of…
This Week in Business History for March 14th: 4 Things You Didn’t Know About Liz Claiborne Inc
In this episode of “This Week in Business History”, host Scott W. Luton dives into a business legend: the incomparable Liz Claiborne. Scott takes us through key aspects of her journey, from Claiborne’s inauspicious beginnings to the founding of her company – – to some of the unique aspects of how Liz Claiborne Inc. operated, including its keys to success…
Growing Supply Chain Leaders by Design: In Conversation With Lexmark’s Tonya Jackson
Recently recognized as a Notable Women in Supply Chain and Logistics by Inbound Logistics, Lexmark’s Tonya Jackson is leading the way in driving healthy tension between supply chain and R&D, introducing design thinking to the innovation process—and helping grow tomorrow’s supply chain leaders, today. Join Scott as he chats with Tonya on her vision for…
This Week in Business History for December 20th: Bah Humbug: The Economics of Charles Dickens’ London
In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner takes listeners back to visit an era and a place mythologized by one of the most popular Christmas stories of all time: A Christmas Carol. The story, which was written by Charles Dickens and published in 1843, addresses a number of economic and social issues that not only marked the impact of the…
This Week in Business History for December 13th: What You Don’t Know About the Colonel’s Chicken and the Company Behind Cherry Garcia
In this week’s episode, host Scott W. Luton (inspired by a recent trip to Hattie B’s) dives into the journeys of two iconic businesses that you probably know – – but shares aspects of their stories that you probably don’t know. Take a listen to learn more about who gave Colonel Sanders his rank & how Ben & Jerry’s shot down early efforts by…
This Week in Business History for December 6th: A Birdseye View on the Frozen Foods Industry
In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner celebrates the birth of Clarence Birdseye, the inventor of the frozen foods industry. He worked for years to overcome a number of challenges and pioneered new solutions to a range of problems. When his path and Marjorie Merriweather Post’s crossed one fateful day on a yacht through a goose dinner, events…
This Week in Business History for November 29th: 5 Things You Didn’t Know About the History of Video Games
In this episode of This Week in Business History, host Scott W. Luton explores one of his son Ben’s favorite topics: Video Games. Scott looks at several aspects related to the history of the video game industry, including several items and developments that will surprise you. So if you love all things Nintendo to Playstation to Xbox – – or even PONG – – join us for…