Category Archives: business

How Did Smith Brothers Cough Drops Get Its Name?

William (Trade) and Andrew (Mark) were the sons of James Smith, who moved his family from St. Armand, Quebec, to Poughkeepsie, New York in 1847. A carpenter by trade, Smith meant to open a restaurant, Smith’s Dining Saloon, in his … Continue reading

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Wilkin & Sons, Jam Making Extraordinaire

Arthur Charles Wilkin took over his family farm, located in Tiptree, Essex, England,  in his late 20s. The family had owned the farm since the early 1700s. Arthur had a vision for the farm, which was not producing as well … Continue reading

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A Bit on the History of The British Imperial System of Weights and Measures

 In 1965, the British Imperial System of Weights and Measures was replaced by the metric system, used in Europe since the days of Napoleon in the 19th Century. The change has been a gradual one for the UK, and, today, … Continue reading

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Georgian Commerce: The London Docks, Part V

In Roman and medieval times, ships tended to dock at small quays in the present-day  city of London or Southwark an area known as the Pool of London. However, this gave no protection against the elements, was vulnerable to thieves and suffered from … Continue reading

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How Did Baker’s Chocolate® Get Its Name?

 Edible Traditions tells us, “In North America English colonists loved chocolate too, and in the early 18th century it was an established beverage throughout the 13 colonies. Direct trade routes from theWest Indies and the absence of tariffs made cacao … Continue reading

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Do You Know the History of ®Murine Eye Drops?

I am forever adding allergy drops to stop my eyes from itching and later adding eye drops to prevent the dryness. It got me thinking…  Murine UK tells us this about the history of ®Murine: “The Murine® Eye Drops brand was first … Continue reading

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Truth Stranger Than Fiction, a Guest Post from Jennifer Petkus

This post originally appeared on Austen Authors, but I thought it worthy and wanted to share it with others. If you do not know Jennifer Petkus’s works, check them out.  Truth is stranger than fiction, they say, which I’ve never … Continue reading

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The Beginnings of the Greyhound Bus Company

In 1914, a young Swedish minor named Car Eric Wickman left his job as a diamond drill operator in the rugged Mesabi Iron Ore Range in Hibbing, Minnesota, to open a Hupmobile (Goodyear Tire) franchise. The venture cost him $3000. … Continue reading

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Benedictine, the Exquisite French Liqueur

 First made by Dom Bernardo Vincelli, a herbalist monk of the Order of St. Benedict, Bénédictine came into being in the Sixteenth Century. Vincelli devoted his life to the study of curative herbs and plants. The area surrounding the Abbey … Continue reading

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William “520 Percent” Miller, Inspiration for “Mr. Darcy’s Bargain”

In my latest release, Mr. Darcy’s Bargain, Elizabeth pleads with Darcy to save the citizens of Meryton from a scam being perpetrated upon them by Mr. Wickham. But how did I come up with the idea of this scam as … Continue reading

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