As discussed in an earlier post, most companies have a lifespan which is limited to 40 to 50 years. A recent study by Ellen de Rooij of the Stratix Group even mentions an average life expectancy of only 12.5 years for any firm started in Europe.

Some companies however have been operating for centuries or even more than a millennium! Many of these ancient companies are Japanese. For example, more than half of the companies founded before 1700 and still existing today, are Japanese.

Many of these ancient Japanese companies claim themselves to be family businesses. But is that really true?...

This article (on priceonomics.com) explains what made these Japanese Dinosaurs successfully run their business during so many centuries. And how they were able to keep their business within the family.

Whether you like it or not, many of our every day technologies find their origin in times of war. The need to defend oneself apparently leads to high levels of creativity and motivation. And with that, to scientific and technological progress. Meeting a "dead line" should be taken literally in case of an armed conflict. Your life will be in danger if you do not act fast enough.
 
This article by Les Shu on digitaltrends.com, describes which of the technologies surrounding us, originated on the battlefield. Perhaps that makes you look at them from a different perspective next time you use them.

Source: www.digitaltrends.com