If you slow a car from 57 to 50 miles per hour (91 to 80 kph), you will get half again better gas mileage. This means that the average American driver would save about $600 per year.
Saving Fuel
Category: Business and Money
W. C. Fields and Savings Accounts
W.C. Fields used to open savings accounts everywhere he went. He put over one million dollars in 700 different banks. He couldn’t remember where many of his accounts were.
Women Failing In Business
One out of every four women fail in business. Four of every five men fail in business.
Bad Business
What the Ski Mechanic Did Wrong
Consider one rule which is the most often violated by the people who fail: You must bring in more money than you spend!
I knew a guy who was an expert ski mechanic. He bought some waxes, some plastic, an iron, some files, all the things he would need. He rented bench space in a store and put up a sign in the store window. Sure enough, skis started coming in. At the end of the first day, he earned $160. Did he spend it on advertising? Or maybe on more materials, or tools to expand his available services? No, he bought himself a pair of fancy cowboy boots and went to a party. His business lasted about a week. When it was time to pay the second week’s bench rent, he didn’t have it! Now that’s just plain bad business! You laugh, but it’s a true story, and variations of it are surprisingly common.
You might enjoy knowing the crazy story of the shop where this happened. It was a bike shop in an eastern city, looking for some kind of business that would bring in people during the winter. The amazing and unexpected true story of that bike shop is here: 5 Years In The Bike Shop.
Dow Jones
The Dow-Jones average was never higher than 1000 until 1972. On November 14, 1972, it broke 1000 with 1003.16.
The Video Business
The video business was different in 1981. There was no Amazon, no Netflix. An inexpensive VCR (predecessor to a DVD player) sold for $1,200. Movies rented for $4.95 each. You had to make sure to get a VHS movie or a Beta movie, depending on which model VCR you owned.
VHS tape to play in your VCR
The Cost of Mailing a Letter
Until 1958 you could mail a first-class letter for three cents.
Pacific Gas and Electric
Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), the largest electric utility in America, was founded by George Roe, a guy who had to collect the collateral on a bad debt: a generator.
The US Dollar Sign
The $ was originally equipped with not one, but two vertical lines. Sometimes you still see it used that way. The two vertical lines represented a U superimposed over the S, which stand for U.S., the United States. The United States is the only country that incorporates its own name into its monetary symbol.
Sears and Roebuck
Mr. Roebuck was originally a watchmaker that Mr. Sears hired. They were opposites, Sears a promoter, Roebuck a conservative, careful man. They got along well and became partners. After a while Roebuck sold out for $25,000 because he didn’t agree with the frantic expansion of the company. He invented a typewriter and invested the proceeds of the typewriter income in Florida real estate. He lost everything in the crash of 1929. He showed up at the Sears employment office looking for any work at all. He was hired as a “celebrity” to cut ribbons at grand openings, etc.
At the age of 44 Mr. Sears retired with over $17 million.
California Gold Rush
The man who started the California gold rush, James Marshall, after a first small strike, was able to find no other gold for himself, and died a penniless alcoholic.
Dimes
American dimes were originally pronounced “deems.”
7-Up Illustrates Power of Product Naming and Placement
See also
Soft Drinks.
This Drummer is at the Wrong Gig.
There’s power in names. What would happen if you come up with a catchy name for your product or service?
7-Up was originally called Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda when it was invented in 1929. The drink probably didn’t sell well until it was renamed. The first rename was “7-Up Lithiated Lemon Soda.” The 7 is for the original size – 7 ounces – and the Up was for “bottoms up.”
The first advertising slogan for 7-Up was, “It takes the ouch out of grouch.”
That slogan probably didn’t help sales much, but the experiment was valid. Keep trying new things and don’t be surprised if you have a sudden breakthrough.
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The original formula of 7-Up contained lithium citrate, a mood-stabilizing drug. It was removed in 1948.
Unlike many other soft drinks that have undergone significant flavor alterations over the years, the taste of 7-Up has remained relatively consistent.
Fido Dido: 7-Up briefly used a mascot named Fido Dido in the late 1980s and early 1990s, a quirky character known for his laid-back attitude.
Clear Cola Craze: During the 1990s “clear cola” craze, 7-Up introduced a clear version of their soda called “7-Up Ice Cola,” but it was discontinued shortly after.
Natural Flavors: 7-Up boasts of using natural flavors, which gives it a distinctive taste compared to other lemon-lime sodas.
No Caffeine Jolt: While some soft drinks provide a caffeine boost, 7-Up offers a more mellow experience due to its lack of caffeine.
Global Presence: 7-Up is sold in more than 100 countries worldwide, making it one of the most widely distributed soft drinks.
Limited Edition Flavors: Over the years, 7-Up has released limited edition flavors, including cherry, pomegranate, and holiday-themed varieties.
Formula Changes: Like many sodas, 7-Up has undergone formula changes over the years to adapt to changing consumer preferences and regulations.
Health Concerns: Like other sugary beverages, regular consumption of 7-Up has been linked to health concerns such as obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.
Citrus Base: The lemon-lime flavor of 7-Up comes from a blend of citrus oils extracted from lemon and lime peels.
Popular Mixer for Mocktails: 7-Up is often used in non-alcoholic cocktails or “mocktails” to add fizz and sweetness without the alcohol.
Variants Around the World: In different countries, 7-Up may have unique flavors or variations tailored to local tastes.
Association with Christmas: In some regions, 7-Up has become associated with the Christmas season, often mixed with cranberry juice or used in holiday punch recipes.
Nostalgic Appeal: For many consumers, 7-Up holds nostalgic value, evoking memories of childhood parties, family gatherings, and refreshing moments shared with loved ones.
