You can learn more about our selection of companies, including how they started and where they are today.
Lenovo’s roots go back to an 11-person venture funded by a Chinese research institute. The story traces the Legend name, early PC success, and the 2005 acquisition that brought IBM’s ThinkPad business into Lenovo’s portfolio.
Dell Technologies now spans client computing and enterprise infrastructure. This history explains the EMC acquisition, changes in public ownership, VMware’s spin-off and the growth of AI-focused server revenue.
Dave Thomas opened Wendy’s in Columbus in 1969. Follow the restaurant’s early franchise growth, its celebrated “Where’s the beef?” campaign, and the difficulties that came with expanding beyond its original hamburger format.
Conagra began as a Nebraska flour-milling business and grew into a diversified food group. Its history follows major acquisitions, a shift toward packaged brands, corporate separations, and a new round of portfolio changes.
HuffPost launched in 2005 as The Huffington Post, blending political commentary and news links. Its evolution includes a Pulitzer Prize, a shift away from open guest blogging and ownership changes from AOL to BuzzFeed.
The history of Disney begins with Walt and Roy Disney’s animation studio in 1923. Follow its early breakthroughs, expansion into films and theme parks, major acquisitions, and the transition toward streaming.
Omega began with Louis Brandt’s Swiss watchmaking business and took its name from a movement developed decades later. Its history also runs through Olympic timing, the Apollo missions, industrial restructuring, and modern mechanical engineering.
Burger King’s origin story includes the Jacksonville Insta-Burger King venture and the Miami business built by James McLamore and David Edgerton. The Whopper helped establish a recognizable identity that endured through decades of change.
Best Buy’s history began with a Minnesota audio shop, not a national electronics chain. Follow its changing store model, digital and service expansion, major setbacks, turnaround and more recent strategic choices.
McDonald’s began as a California drive-in run by two brothers. Its history follows the service system they created, Ray Kroc’s franchising expansion, restaurant-owner innovations, and the challenges of operating a worldwide network.