Success stories

Did you know these 10 companies built empires from a single product?

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You don't need a bunch of different ideas to achieve success, and history proves it! Many iconic brands built their entire empires around just one product. From classic Velcro to modern-day Crocs, join us as we explore 10 companies that turned a single idea into a global success story.

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Some say they are "ugly," but Crocs definitely revolutionized casual footwear. In 2002, three friends discovered Croslite, a lightweight, flexible, spongy, yet durable material. They quickly realized its slip-resistant qualities made it perfect for boating shoes. When they first launched Crocs, they sold out their entire stock, and over the years, the brand grew into a global footwear leader.

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Many of us were lucky enough to play with interlocking plastic blocks as kids. And maybe even as adults, why not? When we think of plastic blocks, LEGO instantly comes to mind. This Danish brand, founded in 1934, turned this seemingly simple product into a global icon of play.

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Earl Tupper built an empire on an innovative idea: multi-purpose plastic containers with airtight seals. In the 1940s, Tupper developed the first versions, and by the end of the decade, the product was already a huge success. And it remains popular to this day, so much so that the product is often called simply by the brand name.

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Although it may seem simple, the hook-and-loop fastener we know today revolutionized the design of many products, especially clothing and shoes. Swiss engineer George de Mestral had the brilliant idea in 1941 after returning from a hiking trip, when he noticed burrs clinging to his clothes and his dog's fur. He studied the phenomenon, developed the fastening system, and then patented it in 1955 under the name Velcro.

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Like Velcro, Play-Doh's flagship product was created by accident. The modeling clay children around the world love actually began in the mid-1950s as a sticky substance to clean wallpaper, invented by Noel McIntyre, a salesman for a soap company. But fate had other plans, and this single product became the foundation for a giant company dedicated to children's toys.

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One of the most beloved tools for students, office workers, researchers, teachers, and many others around the world is the Post-it note. This clever invention came from scientists Spencer Silver and Art Fry. Silver discovered a reusable adhesive in 1968, and in 1974, Fry found the perfect use for it: sticky notes. That single idea built a brand that remains a market leader to this day.

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Zippo became world famous thanks to a single product: its lighters, which many consider the best on the market. They were invented in 1932 by George G. Blaisdell in Pennsylvania, after he was inspired by an Austrian lighter he owned. While it worked well, it was awkward to handle, so Blaisdell improved the design, making it more durable, windproof, and easy to use. His finishing touch was the addition of the now-iconic flip-top lid.

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Although spandex fabric is now part of everyday life, it didn't exist until 1958, when it was invented by a chemist. While it has been popular in various garments over the years, the brand that truly harnessed its potential was Spanx. Founded in 2000 by then-27-year-old saleswoman Sara Blakely, Spanx focused on shapewear and built a billion-dollar company from that single product.

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The world would be a much noisier and more frustrating place without WD-40. It was invented in 1953 by scientist Norm Larsen, who was trying to develop a water displacement formula to prevent rust on aerospace parts. After 40 tries, Larsen got it right, hence the name WD-40. What started as a tool for NASA and the military eventually became a household staple!

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In the 1980s, Red Bull popularized and practically created an entirely new product category: the energy drink. Developed by Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz, Red Bull was inspired by an Asian beverage known for its energizing properties, and it went on to become a huge brand and a global sensation.

A sign of belonging

Long hair and right hands: 11 religious customs across the world

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There are thousands of religions around the world, each following unique beliefs and customs. Some practices arise from the cultures associated with a particular faith, others from traditions shaped by historical events, and some can work as a way of showing adherence to a certain religion.

While some practices and beliefs may be shared among different religions, some are distinctive to a particular group. In this article, we will explore 11 customs and traditions that are unique to a religious group.

Sikhism: Uncut hair and turban

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Sikhism is a religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of India. Nowadays, it is estimated that around 30 million people around the world follow the Sikh faith.

As instructed by Guru Gobind Singh, Sikhs uphold five distinctive symbols of their faith, known as the Five Ks. One of these symbols is Kesh, or uncut hair, which Sikh men traditionally cover with a turban. This commandment also applies to facial hair. Sikh women tend to leave their uncut hair down, but some choose to wear a turban or other forms of head covering.

Orthodox Christianity: right-to-left sign of the cross

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The sign of the cross, also known as signing oneself, is a Christian practice that dates back to at least the 3rd century and signifies the belief in the Holy Trinity. It is performed by touching the forehead, then the chest, and finally both shoulders.

While Catholics and other Christian denominations also use the sign of the cross, Orthodox churches are the main religious group to be identified by this practice performing it from right to left (touching the right shoulder first) and using three fingers to represent the Trinity.

Buddhism: Anatta (no-soul)

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Buddhism stands out for its lack of certain concepts that most Western people would come to expect from a major religion. One of these is the idea of a soul or a permanent, unchanging essence within a person. Instead, the focus is on the cycle of death and rebirth (samsara) and the interconnection of all things.

For Buddhists, nothing is isolated. Everything is part of a big system that’s interconnected, and clinging to the notion of a fixed self leads to suffering and disappointment. Letting go of attachments is a way to transcend suffering and move toward enlightenment (nirvana).

Catholics: no meat on Fridays

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Fridays are a special day in the Catholic tradition because they commemorate the day Christ died. This makes it a day of reflection, penance, and sacrifice, as a way to share the hardships and troubles Christ suffered. One common form of penance is by abstaining from eating meat.

Traditionally, not sacrificing an animal to eat was a way to highlight Christ’s death as the major sacrifice on Fridays. Because meat was once the foundation of most diets, giving it up was seen as a meaningful act of self-denial. This tradition only applies to warm-blooded animals, and everything that lives in water is permitted, which sometimes led to people eating beavers and capybaras on Good Friday.

Protestant Denominations: Iconoclasm

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Religious images are an important topic in all Christian denominations. Some use it as a way of honoring God and remember the saints, while others feel that they can lead to improper veneration, and most Protestant denominations fall into the second category: they believe that it violates the biblical commandment against idolatry.

In following this custom, they prefer not to have images or overtly ornate churches, not only to avoid giving material things the reverence owed only to God, but also as a way to avoid distractions.

Hinduism: the longest wedding ritual

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Weddings are joyous occasions across all cultures and religions, but Hindu weddings are on a different level. They are known for being colorful, ornate, and filled with dances, good food, and music. But this is not just a cultural trait: the wedding ritual is also ornate and intricate, and is one of the longest wedding rituals in the world.

While Hindu wedding customs vary widely by region, language, and community, they all share a common spiritual foundation. Most include at least three main rituals, each with its own traditions and associated ceremonies, making Hindu weddings multi-day events, often lasting a minimum of three days.

Islam: eating with the right hand

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Many cultures and religions designate a specific hand for certain activities, such as eating or drinking, as a way to promote cleanliness. In Islamic tradition, the right hand is considered the appropriate hand for such acts, not only for reasons of hygiene but also for spiritual and symbolic significance.

Many Muslim scholars reference the right hand is associated with purity and blessing, while the left is considered impure and reserved for tasks related to personal hygiene. Some traditions also believe that the devil eats with the ‘impure’ hand, so they recommend using the right hand so as not to imitate him.

Shinto: no doctrine or scripture

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Shinto is a nature-based religion with centuries of history, practiced primarily in Japan. It venerates multiple deities, known as kami, which are believed to inhabit natural landscapes, forces of nature, and various aspects of life. By venerating them in their shrines, Shinto followers aim to cultivate harmonious relationships with these deities.

Unlike many other religions, Shinto does not have a central scripture or formal doctrine that dictates how it should be practiced. There is a strong focus on rituals and traditions, which are deeply ingrained in Japanese society and its customs. This means that there are multiple variations of Shinto practice, depending on the region, its history, and its customs.

Judaism: breaking a glass

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Judaism is an ethnoreligion, meaning its religious beliefs are closely intertwined with cultural identity, even for Jews who may not consider themselves religious. One enduring tradition is the breaking of a glass by the groom during the wedding ceremony, a custom observed even by many secular Jews.

The breaking of the glass is traditionally understood as a remembrance of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the hardships that followed. But why such a sad memento on a joyful occasion? To remind us that life has its ups and downs, and joy is always mixed with sorrow.

Taoism: Inner smile

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Taoism (also known as Daoism) is both a religion and a philosophy stemming from ancient China, but with influences in many Asian societies. It emphasizes harmony with the universe and its energy (Tao or Dao), and has many practices related to meditation and spiritual cultivation.

The Inner Smile is one of these customs. By smiling inwardly, followers of Tao aim to cultivate a sense of gratitude and love for their bodies and, through this connection, release negative energy and promote well-being.

Mormons: No coffee or tea

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church) observes several dietary guidelines, one of which is the avoidance of coffee and tea. But where does this custom originate?

The Word of Wisdom (a section of LDS scripture) outlines health-related guidelines, including the prohibition of certain substances. Among these, "hot drinks" are forbidden. Traditionally, this has been interpreted to mean hot coffee and tea (excluding herbal teas). For many members, this has extended to avoiding caffeine altogether, though interpretations vary. Some believe that chilled coffee and tea are permissible, while others consume alternative caffeinated beverages, such as soda.