Category: Failed Companies

Picture this: a time when music wasn’t just a click away. You actually had to get up, go out, and dive into rows upon rows of music albums to find your jam. That’s what Tower Records was all about. It was more than just a store; it was like the heart of the city, pumping… Continue reading Music’s Silenced Echo: What Happened to Tower Records?

What happened to Polaroid? Well, it all started with a dude named Edwin Land. Picture this: it’s the 1940s, and this guy has a wild vision – snapping a photo and getting it in your hands in minutes, not days. That’s how the first instant camera came to be. It was like magic, right? You… Continue reading Capturing the Past: What Happened to Polaroid?

Back in the day, you’d walk into a store packed with the kinda stuff that made you say, “Wow, I didn’t know I needed that, but I gotta have it!” That was Sharper Image. Started as a catalog, bursting into life with quirky, high-tech goodies that you couldn’t find anywhere else. Founding and early success,… Continue reading Fading Innovation: What Happened to Sharper Image?

So, what happened to Sbarro? It’s like one day you’re biting into a cheesy slice in the middle of a bustling mall food court, and the next, you’re just seeing ‘For Lease’ signs where that familiar red and green logo used to be. It’s kind of a “blink and you miss it” scenario, but for… Continue reading Pizza’s Unsolved Mystery: What Happened to Sbarro?

Once upon a time, not in a galaxy far away, but right here on Earth, there was a company named Nortel Networks. It wasn’t just any company; it started off as Bell Telephone Company of Canada’s manufacturing arm. Think of it as a tiny seed planted in the fertile soil of innovation, way back in… Continue reading Connectivity Collapse: What Happened to Nortel Networks?

Let’s wind back the clock. Imagine a time when the radio was king, and electronics stores were the gateways to innovation. That’s where RadioShack danced into the scene, a place where hobbyists and professionals alike flocked to get the newest components that would fuel their dreams. From its founding and early success, this was the… Continue reading Lost Signals: What Happened to RadioShack?

Alright, let’s dive straight in. Ever wondered what happened to Virgin America? It’s like one day they were soaring the skies with flair, and then, poof, gone. Well, it’s a tale of big dreams, bigger challenges, and a shift in the skies that left many scratching their heads. So buckle up, we’re about to take… Continue reading The Flight’s Last Call: What Happened to Virgin America?

Back in the day, THQ was like the cool kid on the gaming block. They came out swinging in the ’90s, making a name for themselves faster than you could say “high score.” THQ wasn’t just another face in the crowd; they were the ones setting the trends, pumping out game after game. But how’d… Continue reading Gaming’s Unplayed Level: What Happened to THQ?

So, let’s dive into the world of tech legends and talk about Compaq. Man, what a ride they had! This tale’s all about the brainy gang who thought, “Hey, let’s take on IBM,” and actually made it work. Wild, right? Picture this: three amigos – Rod Canion, Jim Harris, and Bill Murto – chillin’ with… Continue reading Computing’s Lost Star: What Happened to Compaq?

So, you’ve probably heard the name ‘Sun Microsystems’ tossed around, especially when tech geeks get nostalgic about the good old days. They were like the cool kids on the block in Silicon Valley. Imagine a world where computers were these huge, clunky things that most people couldn’t fathom having in their homes. Sun changed the… Continue reading Tech’s Sunset: What Happened to Sun Microsystems?

So, picture this: New York, 1879, a dude named Frank Winfield Woolworth launches this store, right? A store that’s gonna kick off a retail revolution. Woolworths’ history begins here, and Frank’s got this vision, a simple one: goods for a nickel or a dime. That’s it. Fast forward a bit, and Frank’s dream starts spilling… Continue reading A Retail Relic: What Happened to Woolworths?

So, let’s chat about JCPenney, a name that kinda echoes through the halls of American retail history. Back in the day, this wasn’t just a store; it was the store. A place where you could snag a pair of jeans, a flashy dress for Saturday night, and maybe even a toaster. JCPenney stood like a… Continue reading The Mall’s Silent Corner: What Happened to JCPenney?

So, let’s dive right in. Newsweek used to be a big deal, like really big. It was the kind of magazine that your grandparents probably had on their coffee table. Its pages were filled with stuff that mattered—world events, politics, culture. It wasn’t just a magazine; it was a cultural icon. But then, something shifted.… Continue reading Publishing’s Dilemma: What Happened to Newsweek?

So, check it out. Picture a world where arcades are king, right? Two dudes, Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney, got together and sparked a revolution that would light up the ’70s like a disco ball. These guys had the guts to start Atari, and boy, did it take off. It all started with Pong –… Continue reading Gaming’s Lost Gem: What Happened to Atari?

Let’s wind back the clock. There was a time when the name “Sports Authority” was synonymous with sports gear. This giant kicked off its journey with a simple idea – to supply athletes and fans with all the gear they needed. The rise was meteoric, from one store to hundreds, and before you knew it,… Continue reading A Retailer Out of Game: What Happened to Sports Authority?

Ever wondered what happened to Saab? That iconic car brand that zoomed across our streets and hearts? Let’s dive deep. You see, Saab wasn’t just another car manufacturer; it was a symbol of innovation, safety, and style. Here’s the deal: This article isn’t just about cars. It’s about the rise and fall of a giant,… Continue reading The Automotive Mystery: What Happened to Saab?

Let’s kick things off with a snapshot of the past. Picture this: the late 1800s, a world buzzing with new ideas. In the midst of all this, a little company called Kodak pops up. They weren’t just another face in the crowd; they were trailblazers, setting the scene in the photography industry. Imagine a world… Continue reading Missed Snapshots: What Happened to Kodak?

So, picture this: It’s the late ’80s, everyone’s rocking shoulder pads, and Dov Charney? The guy’s just kick-started what’s about to be a super chill T-shirt biz right out of his dorm room. Fast forward to the early 2000s, and American Apparel is like the it-brand. Everyone’s wearing those cozy tees and those leggings that… Continue reading Fashion’s Forgotten: What Happened to American Apparel?

Alright, let’s dive into a story that’s kinda like a roller coaster ride. We’re talking about Circuit City. You know, the big electronics store that used to be everywhere? It was like the go-to place for the latest VCR or a shiny new TV. But then, something went wrong. It’s like one day everyone’s talking… Continue reading What Happened to Circuit City? From Highs to Lows

So, let’s take it back to the start. What happened to Pontiac, right? Well, it began with a spark, the kind that lights up history. Back in the day, it wasn’t just about getting from A to B. Cars were the dream every kid had, and Pontiac? It was the poster on their wall. Picture… Continue reading Driving into History: What Happened to Pontiac?

BlackBerry. That name used to be everywhere. It was like, if you didn’t have one, were you even doing business? What happened to BlackBerry, though? They went from the top dog to, well, not even in the dog park anymore. Back in the day, BlackBerry was a trailblazer. Their phones were like the Swiss Army… Continue reading The Tech Shift: What Happened to BlackBerry?

Picture this: a world without online shopping, without malls at every corner. Back then, Sears wasn’t just a store; it was the store. Imagine needing a fridge, a pair of jeans, and some garden tools. Back in the day, there was one answer to all that: Sears. It’s where America shopped. What happened to Sears?… Continue reading From Retail Giant to Decline: What Happened to Sears?

So, picture this: it’s the early 20th century, and these folks have a wild idea—flying people across the oceans in these massive metal birds. That’s Pan Am for you, a real pioneer in the game. They didn’t just dip their toes in; they went full cannonball into international flights during the jet age. Pan Am… Continue reading What Happened to Pan Am? A Tale of Its Bankruptcy

So, let’s chat about a toasted sensation that rocked the fast-food scene once upon a time. Imagine walking down the street, the scent of toasted subs calling your name. That was the vibe when Quiznos hit the scene. It was the cool kid on the block, the one flipping the script on how a sandwich… Continue reading The Sandwich Tragedy: What Happened to Quiznos?

Once upon a time, in the not-so-distant past, a bold new idea emerged in the world of cinema. MoviePass, its name whispered through the queues of eager movie-goers, ready to revolutionize the silver screen experience. Picture this: a subscription-based model for moviegoers where for a flat monthly fee, you could watch as many movies as… Continue reading The Rise and Fall: What Happened to MoviePass?