History of the Brand

In the debut episode of the new "History of the Brand" name, Jason Hewitt tells a story of business triumph and family failure.  This brand came from nothing more than an idea and a young couple's investment of their life savings and has grown into a multi-billion dollar company with a ubiquitous presence across the United States and Canada.  It only cost the founder everything he worked so hard for, from his leadership of the comp...

This episode explores the history behind the creation of an immigrant tailor who created one of the most iconic clothing products of all time with the innovation to strengthen sewn pockets with tiny metal fasteners. A series of trademark design features distinguish this brand from all others even today, but one timely feature in particular is rooted in its connection to the westward expansion of the American railroad system and the...

In this episode, Jason Hewitt reveals the story of a man who created a number of common product lines and brands. From a start in the 1930's through a series of successful product launches, the smallest product among them all stands out above all the rest as the greatest success in the confectioner's legacy. What might have been, had the candy tycoon not declined his product's placement in one of the biggest grossing movies in cine...

In this episode, Jason Hewitt tells the story of the origin of two famous sportswear brands, as well as the town from which they come.  The town remains divided both by a river running through it and by the loyalties of its townspeople to either of the two brands.  He also shares the legend of an American sports icon who helped to catapult the founders' brand to worldwide acclaim in one of the world's earliest international televis...

In this episode, Jason Hewitt shares the story of the world's most successful luxury goods brand. It began when a young boy left home at the age of just thirteen, left home and walked for nearly two years to finally reach the big city in which he longed to live. He would go on to create what would become a company that would catch the attention of the richest, most powerful men and women in the world -- and create his very own empi...

In this episode, Jason Hewitt tells the story of how the gummy bear candy was inspired, in part, by President Theodore Roosevelt, and how it came to be in 1922.  From humble beginnings in the great depression of the early 20th century, the gummy bear has risen to become one of the most popular candies of all time, spawning innumerable variations and replicas.  The brand that started it all is the largest brand of gummy candies in t...

In this episode, Jason Hewitt tells the story behind the emergence of two iconic athleticwear brands, and how one emerged from the shadow of the other.  The story uncovers the history of both companies, dating back to just after the end of World War II, and how their founders once worked together.  Today, the newer brand has dominated the world market, and become one of the most recognizable and profitable brands in existence.  Sti...

In this episode, Jason Hewitt shares the origin of the leading brand of charcoal briquets, Kingsford Charcoal.

From inauspicious beginnings in a forest along Michigan's upper peninsula, this is the story of how E.G. Kingsford advised his wife's prominent cousin to market a line of charcoal fuel, eliminating factory waste and creating a new revenue stream for his growing brands.

Nearly thirty years later, the chemical division would...

In this episode, Jason Hewitt tells the story behind modern day proverb "When it Rains, it Pours", and how these simple words were integrated into our language. The story uncovers the importance of table salt and the brand that perfected its distribution and manufacture; turning a once-rare, luxury good into a household commodity, and how efforts to advertise it nearly failed, because this major brand was more proud of their patent...