It’s double heartbreak to see *American institutions* that us *oldsters* grew up with, and enjoyed their products for years and years, fall to the dust heap of history. Not having followed them for years, since I went digital, is no excuse for me not knowing how bad they had become.
Guess they join my brief lament for some newspapers I once enjoyed, American cars, and Stanley Tools.
I don’t like where we are going. Do you hear that USA? Breaks my heart.
Fortunately, Lee-Neilsen keeps the Stanley and Bailey lineage alive and thriving.
My dad is fond of saying that all of the places he consulted for are gone now, either bankrupt, or sold and broken up. The list included (what was) the largest Textile manufacturer in the world, (what was) the largest insurer in the world, and (what was) the largest trucking company in the world.
His attitude? You should work to live, not the other way 'round. Work is a means to an end, that's all, and is rarely a permanent fixture.
IMHO, he's right. IF I dedicated myself to my work, sacrificing my family and everything that's *really* important.... And IF that dedication allows me to rise to the top of the heap in my organization.... And IF my company is still around 50 years from now....
...I might have a conference room named after me at the company's HQ. And, if I was lucky, someone might read my name off a dusty plaque and say "Hmmmmph. Wonder who this "WBill" person was?". But only if they were killing time in between meetings.
Business is transient, by definition. Faith, Family, Community... IMHO, these are the things that are really important.
/rant off. Stepping down from my soapbox.
I agree with your sentiments. When I think of Kodak, I think of the huge photo screen they maintained at Grand Central Station in NYC for decades. Always just the most gorgeous photos to look at when you’d get off the train. They could just make your day.